Members of the Iranian diaspora recently flocked in their hundreds to Stanmore for Nowruz, or Persian New Year.
Celebrated by various ethnic groups across the world on the spring equinox, Nowruz marks the first day of the new year in the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar and corresponds to March 21 in the Gregorian calendar.
Iranian families from Stanmore and beyond came together for an evening of food, dance and culture.
One of the most well-known Nowruz traditions is Haft-Sin, whereby celebrants lay out seven symbolic objects beginning with the Persian letter S on a table. In another famous ritual dating back to Zoroastrian times, festival-goers jump over an open fire.
The event was organised by Nasim Mazraekar, who hosts Nowruz evenings around the UK for the diasporas who celebrate the holiday.
STANMORE&EDGWAREnews asked a young member of the Iranian diaspora what the festival means to her.
The 17-year-old Stanmore resident said: “Coming to parties like this makes me feel like Iranian culture isn’t just my parents’ culture, but that it’s also mine.
“In places like Harrow where everyone has overseas origins, being part of your own culture is a big part of your identity. Speaking the language helps a lot but even if you don’t, you can still be a part of your culture because of nights like this one.”
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