Spring is a season of renewal, when flowers bloom, nature awakens, and everyone is given a fresh start. Various cultures around the world celebrate the arrival of spring in meaningful and significant ways. As an international student, I’ve discovered that all cultural traditions, regardless of their origins, have one thing in common: hope, community, and fresh starts. One such tradition is the Persian New Year.

Last month, a lovely Nowruz celebration was held at the University of Westminster, bringing together students from various backgrounds to remember and honour this traditional custom. It was heart-warming to observe how the University honours and respects cultural diversity, from indulging in Persian treats to discovering the significance of the Haft-Seen.
I value these chances to share my culture and learn about others’ as an international student. Such events like these act as a reminder that Westminster is more than just a university; it is a multicultural community that values diversity and celebrates traditions.

What is Nowruz?

Nowruz, meaning “New Day” in Persian, marks the beginning of spring and the start of the new year on the vernal equinox in the Iranian calendar. Celebrated for over 3,000 years in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and some other parts of Central Asia and parts of the Middle East, Nowruz is a festival of joy, family gatherings, and fresh beginnings. It is a time to cleanse the home, set new intentions, and come together to celebrate life. The arrival of spring after winter is celebrated as it represents the triumph of light over darkness.

Chaharshanbeh Suri

It is an ancient festival celebrated the last Wednesday before Nowruz. We jump over fire to cleanse ourselves of the negativity of the past year and welcome warmth and positivity of the flames into their lives. As we jump, we say zardie man az to- sorkhie to az man which means my paleness (sickness, worries) to you, your redness (health, warmth) to me.
Along with traditional snacks like Ash-e Reshteh (a thick noodle soup) and Ajil (a mixture of dried fruits and nuts), Chaharshanbeh Suri is a night of fun, music, and family gathering. Similar to Halloween customs in other cultures, people in some cities of Iran still engage in older traditions of Chaharshanbeh Suri covering themselves and knocking on neighbour doors and receive treats. This fiery festival connects to the universal idea of cleansing and renewal, just like spring cleaning, lighting candles for festivals like Diwali or Hanukkah, or even making New Year’s resolutions.

Haft-Seen table

One of the most symbolic aspects of Nowruz is the Haft-Seen table, a beautifully arranged setting featuring seven symbolic items that begin with the Persian letter “S,” each representing a hope for the new year: health, prosperity, love, and wisdom. Sabzeh (Greenery), Seer (Garlic), Somagh (Sumac), Seeb (Apple), Samanu (Wheat pudding), Serkeh (Vinegar), Sekeh (coins).
Another beloved Nowruz tradition is Eidi, where elders give money to the younger family members when they go for family gathering as a symbol of good fortune.

Tastes of Nowruz

Food is essential to any celebration, and it holds great significance in Persian culture, particularly during Nowruz. Reshteh Polo (Rice with Noodles) and Sabzi Polo ba Mahi (Herbed Rice with Fish) are two traditional dishes that are served the night before Nowruz. Not only are they tasty, but they also convey symbolic messages of life and good fortune and also taking control of one’s fate and future.
And then, there are the sweets! One of the most beloved is Nokhodchi: tiny clover-shaped cookies made with chickpea flour and flavoured with cardamom and rosewater. They melt in your mouth and bring joy to the celebration. Other favourites include: Baklava, Nan-e Berenji, Sohan and Qottab. Baking and sharing these sweets bring families together and fills homes with the scent of love and tradition.

Sizdah Bedar

Nowruz celebration is not just one day, it actually lasts for 13 days filled with family and friends gatherings and shared meals that Sizdah Bedar is celebrated on the last day of Nowruz, marking the end of the festive period. Iranians spend the Sidah bedar day being joyful outdoors to get rid of the negative energy of the unlucky number 13. We go to parks, gardens and nature for a picnic and enjoy food, music, games and fresh air together. Then we tie knots in the Sabzeh that we grew to wish for what we want in the new year. The Sabzeh is then thrown in running water, so our wishes come true.
Much like Easter egg hunts, cherry blossom picnics in Japan, or spring festivals in many cultures, Sizdah Bedar reflects a universal joy in welcoming spring through nature, community, and celebration.

How Nowruz Connects to Other Cultures

I realised how different cultures celebrate new beginnings as I thought about Nowruz. For example, Chinese New Year also celebrates rebirth through wishes for prosperity, symbolic meals, and family gatherings. Or the Indian festival of lights, Diwali, is a time to welcome a bright future, let go of the past, and embrace positivity. Moreover, Easter and the Spring Equinox around the world, are celebrated as symbols of hope, growth, and rebirth.
We all celebrate new opportunities, the joy of community, and the excitement of a fresh start, even though the specifics of our traditions may vary.

Nowruz is more than just a Persian tradition, it is a reminder that no matter where we come from, we all value the concept of hope, renewal, and togetherness. I am grateful to be part of a university that recognizes and respects cultural traditions which helps every student feel seen and valued.
I would love to hear from you, does your culture have a tradition that celebrates renewal and spring? How do you greet the changing seasons? Let’s continue sharing and learning from each other.
Wishing you all a wonderful season filled with new opportunities, growth, and happiness! Nowruz Pirouz! (Happy Nowruz!)

Yasi

For more insights from international students studying at the University of Westminster and living in the heart of London, please visit International Student Blogs