Posted 4 weeks ago
Mon 31 Mar, 2025 12:03 AM
On the 19th of March, we hosted our first-ever celebration of Nowruz , the Persian New Year, right here at UWE—and what a beautiful, joyful day it was! 🎉
Here within Student Life, we aim to create an inclusive, welcoming community by celebrating the rich cultures of our diverse student body. Earlier this year, we hosted 2025 New Year, followed by Lunar New Year, and now it was time to shine a light on Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
A lot of you were over the moon to be able to celebrate Nowruz away from home—creating a “home outside of home.” One of you beautifully said:
From the moment students arrived, the room was alive with intercultural music and warmth. Everyone received a postcard keepsake and a fresh apple, symbolising beauty and health. Students could decorate eggs for the Haft-Seen, socialise, and enjoy nut-free snack tables for those with allergies.
One of the centrepieces of the evening was our beautifully curated Haft-Seen table—a symbolic Persian New Year display featuring seven items starting with the letter 'S' in Persian, each representing a wish for the new year:
- 🌱 Sabzeh (sprouts) – rebirth and renewal
- 🧄 Seer (garlic) – health and protection
- 🍎 Seeb (apple) – beauty and vitality
- 💰 Sekkeh (coins) – wealth and prosperity
- 🧂 Serkeh (vinegar) – wisdom and patience
- 🌸 Sonbol (hyacinth) – the coming of spring
- 🍬 Samanu (sweet pudding) – power and strength
There was also a vibrant photo wall to capture memories, candle-lit tables with dates, pistachios, and walnuts, and warm, fragrant Persian tea brewed every hour with rose petals and cinnamon 🌹☕.
And of course, the dance floor came to life at 6:30 PM thanks to our amazing DJ. We danced, laughed, and sang until our feet hurt and our hearts were full. 🍕 Later in the evening, everyone enjoyed pizza and soft drinks—because no celebration is complete without good food!
📸You can view highlights from the event below
Nowruz isn’t just one day—it’s a 13-day festival filled with tradition, connection, and reflection.
Leading up to Nowruz, families deep-clean their homes (Khaneh Tekani or "shaking the house") to symbolise letting go of the past and making space for renewal. Fresh flowers like hyacinths and tulips are placed in homes to welcome spring 🌷, and people wear new clothes to symbolise a fresh start.
The first few days are spent visiting family, honouring elders, and celebrating together. Children often receive Eydi (gifts or money), and there’s a strong emphasis on joy, kindness, and reconnecting with loved ones.
As the days progress, the celebration becomes more relaxed, with visits to extended family, friends, and even neighbours—spreading goodwill and hope.
On the 13th day, known as Sizdah Bedar, people go outdoors—usually to parks or the countryside—for a picnic day filled with games, laughter, and connection with nature. It’s also the day when families dispose of the Sabzeh, the sprouts used in the Haft-Seen, by placing them in running water. This act symbolises releasing bad luck and clearing the path for health, happiness, and harmony in the new year. This luckily was on the same day as our Jump into Spring event on the second of April.
This Nowruz celebration wasn’t just for those who grew up with it—but for everyone curious and excited to learn more about Persian culture, history, and traditions. With hundreds of you joining in, it became a vibrant way to say goodbye to winter and welcome the season of renewal.
We are also eager to grow the Persian community. If you like to know more about this please email kiana.eskandani@uwe.ac.uk.
📝 We’d love to hear your thoughts—please leave us feedback through the form in our Instagram bio or click here.
Nowruzetan Perooz! Here's to new beginnings, longer days, blooming flowers, and a stronger sense of community. 🌼☀️
