Persian New Year "Norouz" Celebration

DVC

March 16, 2008

On March 16, the MTO Sufi Association at Diablo Valley College (DVC), gathered to celebrate Norouz and the arrival of Spring. The spirited Norouz Celebration was filled with informative speeches, enchanting Sufi poetry, traditional Persian folklore dance performances, and live music. The sold-out event was highlighted by enlightening presentations on the significance, spiritual roots and cultural traditions of Norouz and Haft-seen. Attendees were also given a glimpse into the magnificent history of Persia, its rich culture and remarkable scholars, scientists, poets, and Sufi Masters. The audience also enjoyed Persian food and refreshments as well as dancing. The evening was filled with joy and anticipation for the arrival of Norouz and Spring.

Norouz is the traditional Persian festival of spring which starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of spring and the beginning of the Persian New Year.
Norouz is celebrated on or near the 21st of March. It has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years. It is a celebration of the renewal of life after the slumber of winter, and along with it, the human response to that awakening.
Typically, at the time of Norouz, family members gather around a table, with the Haftseen (refers to seven items which begin with the letter S, and represent hope, rebirth, patience, inner joy, etc...) on the table, and await the exact moment of the arrival of the spring. They celebrate this day by wearing new outfits, eating sweets, visiting, erasing all hard feelings, and expressing their best wishes for each other.
Norouz has strong spiritual roots, but its focus is not on that aspect of religion that divides people, rather its focus is on the essence of religion and its message of unity, hope, and peace. That is why Norouz is the common thread uniting religions and nationalities in the Persian world and beyond. Persians of different religious backgrounds celebrate and honor Norouz.
Sufis have always honored Norouz with great passion. Throughout centuries the great Sufis have been harbingers of the delicate spiritual meanings of Norouz, its message of rebirth, and awakening of the soul to the melodies of Life.

To contact the MTO Sufi Association at Diablo Valley College , please send an email to: info@sufiassociation.org