Voices: News & Features

Nowruz Mobarak!

Voices Staff

Nowruz Mobarak! Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe New Year! 

A table covered in fruits, coins, and traditional foods for Nowruz.Nowruz (or Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz), literally translated as “new day,” is the name of the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year. While the origin of the holiday was rooted in Zoroastrianism (an Iranian religion and one of the world’s oldest, continuously practiced organized faiths), it has been celebrated in diverse religious and secular communities across Eurasia for thousands of years, leading to many different spellings and pronunciations of the holiday from country to country. 

Whether you already celebrate Nowruz or are just learning about this holiday, we’re sharing some of our favorite pieces on the Persian New Year!


“Nowruz and the Night Sky,” featuring photographer Babak Tafreshi:

Listen to and read the full transcript of “Nowruz and the Night Sky”, episode 9 of National Geographic’s “Overhead” series. This beautiful and poetic piece invites readers to reflect on the astronomy and imagery that connects Nowruz to the past.

Moonlit snow glows on Mount Damavand, in northern Iran.
Moonlit snow glows on Mount Damavand, in northern Iran. (Babak Tafreshi, National Geographic) Babak Tafreshi, National Geographic

Collection of works by Naz Deravian, a Persian cookbook author and recipe developer:

“For Afghans Abroad, Nowruz Is a Chance to Reflect”Join Naz Deravian, a Persian cookbook author and recipe developer, as she reflects on the symbolism of Nowruz, the importance of food, and gathering with friends and family. (Don’t have a subscription? No worries! This is a “gift” link, which means you can access it free of charge!) 

Table laden with dishes traditional for Nowruz.
Dishes for Nowruz. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich. (Johnny Miller, The New York Times) Johnny Miller for The New York Times

Also by Naz: 


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