New day

یامقلب القلوب والابصار یامدبراللیل والنهارحول حالنا الی احسن الحال

فرخنده باد بر همگان مقدم بهار

نوروز , جاودانه ترین جشن روزگار

Norooz (New Day) marks the traditional Iranian New Year, which originated in ancient Persia, and dates back more than 3,000 years. Nearly 300,000,000 Iranians and other peoples all over the world, including in the United States, Iran, and other countries in Central Asia, South Asia, Caucasus, Crimea, and Balkan Regions, and those with Baha’i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and non-religious backgrounds celebrate the arrival of spring.

Xiang-Project wishes all Iranian and all those who observe this holiday a prosperous new year.

Festival of Fire-چهارشنبه‌سوری

Tehran

2004

Chahārshanbe-Sūri is an ancient Persian festival dating at least back to 1700 BCE of the early Zoroastrian era.

The festival of fire is a prelude to the ancient Norouz festival, which marks the arrival of spring and revival of nature.

Chahrshanbeh Soori, is celebrated the last Tuesday night of the year.

The word Chahar Shanbeh means Wednesday and Suri is red.

On the eve of last Wednesday of the year, literally the eve of Red Wednesday bonfires are lit in public places with the help of fire and light, it is hoped for enlightenment and happiness throughout the coming year. People leap over the flames, shouting:

(Sorkhi-e to az man) Give me your beautiful red color

(Zardi-e man az to) And take back my sickly pallor!

With the help of fire and light symbols of good, we hope to see our way through this unlucky night - the end of the year- to the arrival of springs longer days. Traditionally, it is believed that the living were visited by the spirits of their ancestors on the last day of the year. Many people specially children, wrap themselves in shrouds symbolically reenacting the visits. By the light of the bonfire, they run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons called Gashog-Zani to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year, while they knock on doors to ask for treats.

Blue

Blackpool, England, 2010

Manjil

Manjil reservoir, Alborz Mountains, Iran, 2010