Iranian festivals

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The following is a List of Festivals in Iran

Contents

[edit] Iranian Festivals

  • Nowruz: Celebration of the start of spring ("Rejuvenation"). It starts on the first day of spring (also the first day of the Iranian Calendar year) and lasts for 13 days.
  • Sizdah Bedar: Persian Festival of "Joy and Solidarity". The 13th/last day of Nowruz celebration ("Getting rid of the thirteen!"). It is celebrated outdoors along with the beauty of nature.
  • Mehregan: Festival of Mehr (or Mihr). A day of "Thanksgiving".
  • Jashne Sade: A mid-winter feast to honor fire and to "defeat the forces of darkness, frost and cold".
  • Shabe Chelle: The turning point. End of the longest night (darkness) of the year, and beginning of growing of the days (Lights). A celebration of Good over Evil.
  • Chaharshanbe Suri: Festival of Fire, Last Wednesday in the Iranian Calendar year. It marks the importance of the light over the darkness, arrival of spring and revival of nature.

[edit] Zoroastrian

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The basis of nearly all of Iranian national festivals are from its Pre-Islamic Zoroastrian era. However, there are some festivals that are celebrated exclusively by Zoroastrians and some with less extent in other communities too.

  • Nowruz - New Year's Day. March (first day of Spring).
  • Jaşne Sade - Festival of Fire. Lit. the 100th day (before Nowruz).
  • Jaşne Mehregân - Festival of Mihr (or Mehr). A day of thanksgiving dedicated to the highest Angel, Mithra (c.f. Metatron).
  • Jaşne Tiregân - Festival of Tir. A day dedicated to Tishtrya, Angel of the star Sirius and rain.
  • Farvardingân - Festival of the Farohars ('guardian angels').
  • Xordâd Sâl - Birthday of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
  • Zartosht No-Diso - Anniversary commemorating the death of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
  • Esfandgan - the day of love

See also: Zoroastrian calendar

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[edit] Islamic

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  • Ramadan (Ramazan) in Iran : Iranian have special recipes as Zoolbia-Bamieh, Shole Zard, Ferni, Halva and Ash Reshteh in Ramezan.
  • Eid ul-Fitr / Eid e Fetr - "The Festival of Fast-Breaking" which comes at the end of Ramadan. People give gifts and money to poor people, patients and the handicapped.
  • Ashurah & Tasoa - Shi'a Muslims observe the day in mourning for Hussein and in remembrance of his martyrdom. In Iran, Iranians perform Ta'zieh, the old Iranian dramatic parade (post Islamic era). There exists also a rather special recipe for some special drinks in this festival. Many people cook something and offer it to their neighbors as gifts.
  • Muhammad al-Mahdi / Nimeh Şabân - celebration for the twelfth and final Shi'a Imam. The festival consists of some fireworks and decorating the cities with lights, bulbs and trees.
  • Laylat al-Qadr / Ghadr nights - the "Night of Power" towards the end of Ramadan, which is when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad. Iranian stay awake the nights and light candles.
  • Ghorban ceremony - "The Festival of Sacrifice". In Iran, Iranian sacrifice sheeps and offer the meat to neighbors and also poor people for free. There is also a barbecue in almost every house.

See also: Islamic calendar

[edit] Christian

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Majority of Iranian christians are Armenian-Iranians also known as Parska-Hye who follow Oriental Orthodox branch of Christianity. This minority has their very own special festivals and traditions.

Iran has an over-whelmingly Muslim population but the Christian Community has a visible presence. During Christmas times, Christmas Trees can be seen from Windows in Tehran and north-western provinces. Although Christmas has an official recognition in Iran, it is not a national holiday.

[edit] Jewish

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  • Purim Festival
  • Illanout (tree festival) Celebrated in February, it is identical to Shab-e Cheleh and is a lot more elaborate, reminiscence of the pre-Islamic celebrations

[edit] Unofficial