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During ancient times, Persian kings put aside their cultural and religious differences and invited neighbors from around the empire to mark the arrival of spring.
This Persian New Year celebration, called Nowruz, continues today in what is now modern-day Iran, as well as cities around the globe, including Salt Lake City.
The festivities of Nowruz — which means new day— include fire, food and symbolism.
"It's about leaving evil behind and starting fresh and new," said Nasrin Mohammadi, co-owner with her husband Behrouz, of Salt Lake City's Pars Market and Cuisine, which will celebrate on March 15 and 19. (See box for details.)
On the Tuesday evening before Nowruz officially begins, a fire festival or chaharshanbe soori is held, said Mohammadi, who came to Utah from Iran more than three decades ago to attend the University of Utah.
People build small fires, a symbol of "leaving the darkness and winter behind," she said. The outdoor festival includes music, dancing and hot beverages and has its roots in the Zoroastrianism religion tradition.
Later in the evening, as the countdown to the new year progresses, the celebration moves inside, where families and friends enjoy a traditional meal of sabzi polo ba mahi — long-grain basmati rice cooked with cilantro, parsley, leeks and other fresh herbs. It is served with fish. Salmon is the most popular choice, said Mohammadi, but it varies by region and family. Fried white fish is popular near the Caspian sea, while areas farther away from the ocean will serve river fish or smoked fish, whatever is available.
For those who may not have access to fish, there is kookoo — herbs and eggs baked into a vegetable custard.
Along with the meal, a colorful ceremonial table, called haft-siin is set. Placed upon it is usually a holy book, flowers, a gold fish, a mirror, candles and painted eggs, all symbols of rebirth. "Every family table looks a little different," said Mohammadi, who said her family adds a tray of rice and coins in hopes of bringing good fortune and wealth in the new year.
While some of the items are different, every table always includes seven traditional foods, each starting with the letter "s" in Persian.
Each foods represents something different: apple (sib) for beauty; garlic (sir) for health; dried lotus tree fruit (senjed) for love; sumac berries (somaq) for sunrise; vinegar (serkeh) for patience; sweet pudding (samanu) for wealth; and sprouted wheat barley (sabzeh) for rebirth.
While Nowruz — sometimes spelled Norooz or Norouz — officially starts on the Wednesday before the spring equinox (March 16 this year), preparations begin weeks in advance, as people clean their house and buy new clothing, said Bijan Jahromi, whose Persian family owns and operates Zaferan Cafe in Cottonwood Heights.
"It's an exciting time of the year," he said.
On New Year's day it also is a tradition to go visit the oldest members of the family or community, with the family enjoying fruit, nuts and Persian cookies and sweets. Children often get crisp, $1 bills from their elders.
Jahromi, who was born and raised in Utah, said in Iran, the New Year continues for another 12 days, on the last day "it is considered a good omen to be outside in nature." Iranians in Utah often gather at Sugarhouse Park on that day.
For the second year, Zaferan Cafe, will host a Chaharshanbe Soori on Tuesday, March 15, complete with fires in the parking lot and traditional foods inside the restaurant.
While there are sure to be many of Persian decent who attend, customers of all nationalities are invited, Jahromi said. "We would like other people to experience this celebration, too."
Persian New Year celebrations
Celebrate Persian New Year at one of these Salt Lake-area restaurants. Festivities include small outdoor bonfires with hot drinks and traditional foods.
Pars Market and Cuisine • 4233 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City; 801-272-2822
When • Tuesday, March 15, 6 to 10 p.m.
Details • Celebrates Chaharshanbe Soori, a prelude to the New Year, with outdoor bonfires, music and a traditional dinner of sabzi polo ba mahi — salmon and rice with herbs — for $13.99. Regular menu also available. Participants get 12 percent off any entree.
More celebrating • The Norouz or New Year celebration continues Saturday, March 19, with a dinner and dance from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Cost is $25.
More information • parsmarket.net
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Zaferan Cafe • 2578 Bengal Blvd. (7800 South), Cottonwood Heights; 801-944-6234.
When • Tuesday, March 15, 7 to 10 p.m.
Details • The restaurant also celebrates Chaharshanbe Soori with outdoor bonfires, music and a traditional dinner of sabzi polo ba mahi. Regular menu also available.
More information • zaferancafe.com