This article is prepared in spirit of “Nowruz”, the Iranian New Year celebration which falls on March 20 of this year.
Tehran: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 19:45:28 PM
New York: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 12:15:28 PM
Paris: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 17:15:28 PM
Toronto: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 12:15:28 PM*
San Francisco: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 09:15:28 AM
London: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 16:15:28 PM
Vancouver: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 09:15:28 AM
Houston: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 11:15:28 AM
Stockholm: Tuesday March 20, 2018, 17:15:28 PM
Iranians disagree on spelling of Nowruz. However, there should be no more than two or three versions which all of people agree to use it instead of ten different spellings which make non-Iranians wonder what is wrong with us. I have used Nowruz because of Dr. Yarshater.
Another very important point is not to use the word Eid ( عید ) instead of Nowruz. An important reason for this error is that countries such as Tajikistan or Afghanistan are taking credit for Nowruz and calling it their own. There are several Eids in Iran but they are not Nowruz.
To celebrate Nowruz, please use or purchase only postcards which have Persian words in them. Nowruz is the Iranian New Year celebration and either the postcards should use Persian words or all of the languages which exist in Iran such as Kurdish, Azeri, and Arabic. The use of Persian with Arabic words should not be acceptable by Iranians.
Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of a new year in the Persian calendar. Iranian Kurds, Azeri, Gilac, to name a few celebrate this rebirth of nature in spring by gathering around Haft-sin table. This table should not include a gold fish which is not part of our tradition.
We are spreading a message to Iranians, Tajiks, Afghans, and others to join us in not using a “goldfish,” at their Haft Sin table. Our Nowruz celebration will begin soon and it is beautiful time of the year which represents our identity. However, not having a goldfish will not diminish the importance of Haft Sin.
It is important to keep our good traditions and modify or eliminate the ones that are harmful to people, animals, and to the environment.
If you and your family members must add a “goldfish or mahi ghermez ماهی قرمز,” to your Haft Sin table, please follow the steps which are prepared by The Center for Animal Lovers in Iran.
1) If you are buying a goldfish, purchase it from locations which have
large containers and the containers’ water is clean.
2) The container which you use must be large (preferably glass) and
have also a large opening for good air circulation.
3) The container must be away from very cold or very hot locations
(and it definitely must be away from direct sunlight.)
4) If you want to change the water, have fresh water wait for at least
24 hours in another container then gently transfer the new water.
5) To prevent the goldfish from feeling lonely and frightened, always
use more than one fish, preferably two.
6) Have a plan to release the fish safely after Nowruz celebration.
Here are two videos appropriate to Nowruz. The first is a traditional song with dancing.
نوبهار / آمده نوروز در ایران زمین
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2LnZ43qPYA
For those who have lost their loved ones in the recent times naturally or because of earthquake in Kurdistan, and or those who are in prison for political reasons or lost their jobs.
