London, Norouz Gala 2008
Saturday 15th March
Norouz, or the Old Persian Navasarda, literary meaning "the new day" is an ancient Iranian festival that celebrates rejuvenation of nature and marks the spirit of renewal at the precise moment when the Earth passes through the Vernal or Spring Equinox. Norouz is celebrated throughout the Near and Middle East, the Caucasus, in Central Asia, West of China, South Asia and many other regions of the world where Iranian, Kurdish or Parsi communities live.
Our Norouz today is distinctively an Iranian celebration that has embellished its ancient rituals with token borrowings from more recent traditions that shape the Iranian cultural identity.
The Zoroastrians of ancient Iran celebrated the creation of life by offering their god, Ahura Mazda, seven trays of gifts with symbolic items to signify the truth, justice, good thoughts, good deeds, integrity, opulence, munificence and immortality.
Norouz in essence celebrates the magic of life and acknowledges the balance of forces in nature, while mortals hope that the year ahead would be peaceful, devoid of illness and prosperous.
IRAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Cordially invites you to celebrate
Norouz
The Iranian New Year
on Saturday 15th March 2008 at
The Great Room
Grosvenor House Hotel
London W1
Reception 7pm
Dinner 8pm
Black Tie (optional)
For enquiries contact the Iran Heritage Foundation, 5 Stanhope Gate, London W1K 1AH. T +44 20 73062060, F +44 20 74999293, E info@iranheritage.org