In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Iranian New Year Celebration or Norooz, always begins on the first day of spring. Norooz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts — the end and the rebirth or good and evil. A few weeks before the New Year, Iranians clean and rearrange their homes. They make new clothes, bake pastries and germinate seeds as a sign of renewal.
The origins of Norooz are unknown, but they go back several thousand years pre-dating the Achaemenian Dynasty. The ancient Iranians had a festival called “Farvardgan” which lasted ten days and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning, signifying the end of life while the festival of Norooz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth and was a time of great joy and celebration.
This year Norooz is on March 19. We, at Persia restaurant and Mom & Pop’s, along with Santa Clarita’s Iranian community will celebrate the first Saturday after Norooz, March 22 at Robinson Ranch.
Last year’s ceremony was a big success for the first time doing such a celebration in our valley. People are still talking about the decorations and variety of foods, appetizers, desserts. Open flame barbecue kabobs, different types of rice, all Persian stew dishes for the main course and cream puffs, French cookies, Zolbia Bamieh for the dessert are some of what you will enjoy that night.
The party will be entertained by a famous Persian singer Saeed Mohamadi, it is an all you can eat and all you can dance night.
For ticket and more info please contact Persia restaurant or Mom & Pop’s market at 661-513-0077. Hope to see you in the nature’s rebirth celebration Norooz.