Nao Roz (new day) or new year is celebrated on 21 March. Nao Roz is a day for family, visiting loved ones, going on picnics and generally having a good time.
The traditional dish of the new year is Haft Mewa (seven fruits). Basically the seven fruits are put in sugar water (sometimes flavoured with rose) and left to soak. You then serve it in cups like a drink. The fruits are traditionally red, black and yellow raisin, sinjid (asian olives), pistachio, dried apricots and dried apple. Everyone has a slight variation (like your mum's favourite recipe) and can include walnuts and almonds. To be honest I am not a fan - but it is very popular among my colleagues.Nao Roz is also the time for kite flying. It is amazing to me how small boys on the stillest of days can still fly kites over the roofs of the tallest buildings. It is lovely to see the sky brimming with kites, and children watching the skies, envying the owners of the most colourful models. I've not experience the kite running made famous by the book but I believe it does still happen in some neighbourhoods.
Nao Roz also marks the start of spring - and as if on cue the weather has started to get warmer (although still getting rain). The blossom is flourishing and the sky is definitely blue. I love this time of year here - so full of hope, new beginnings and anticipation for the year ahead. Happy 1394!
