Haft-Seen tablecloth is arranged in Iran to mark the advent of Norouz

Norouz is one of the most important festivities for the Iranians. It is the reminiscent of Jamshid, the King of the Persian Empire.
Iranians observe many ceremonies to mark the advent of Norouz including the spring cleaning of their houses, setting Haft-Seen tablecloth, observing the last Wednesday of the year as ’Chaharshanbeh Souri’, going to cemeteries to pray for the souls of dead relatives on the last Thursday of the year.
A researcher in history and culture Mahmoud Ruholamin said that Norouz festivity was also observed in other ways. “What we observe today as Norouz festivity is different from the original celebrations, but, it is being marked on the same occasion (spring equinox) around March 20-22 each year.
“Ancient Iranians used to splash water on each other to symbolize cleansing in addition to taking bath,“ he said.
Turning to the ceremony of setting Haft-Seen tablecloth, putting seven items whose names begin with the letter S of the Persian alphabet on a tablecloth, he pointed out that ’seven’ is a good-omen number in Iranian and Zoroastrian culture.
He said that some believe that designed plates were imported from China. They called it Haft-Chin but later it changed to Haft-Seen.
Elaborating on the philosophy of Haft-Seen, he said that Samano (malt mixed with flour) is symbol of plants and reproduction, Senjed (edulis) is a symbol of love, Sumac is a symbol of spice of life while garlic and vinegar symbolize hygiene. Goldfish is a symbol of Anahita or the goddess of water, the red apple is a symbol of lust and rebirth, Sekkeh (coin), a symbol of Shahrivar, the mirror, candle, and bread are the symbols of affluence.
On the globalization of Norouz and its spread to the other cultures, he said that since 1960, particularly in recent years, with the migration of Iranians to the West, Norouz is being celebrated extensively in foreign countries.
“Norouz is no longer celebrated within Iranian borders. It has gained international dimension with being observed in five continents of the world ranging from the United States to the European countries,“ he said.
Meanwhile, cultural houses across Tehran have planned to hold special exhibits to mark the occasion. The Center for Zoroastrian Students will hold a special event at Arasbaran Cultural House. Haft-Seen tablecloth will be arranged in the cultural houses.

TEHRAN, March 16--The second festival of Iranian Haft-Seen will be held from March 21 to 23 with the aim of safeguarding the age-old and pleasing tradition of arranging the tablecloth of Haft-Seen as part of rituals for the Norouz festivities, Mehr news agency said.
Haft-Seen tablecloth is arranged in Iran to mark the advent of Norouz, which coincides with the vernal equinox, by placing seven (haft) items whose names begin with the letter S (’seen’ in Persian language) such as Sabzeh (green plant) and Samano (malt mixed with flour).
The festival will be sponsored by Tehran Municipality’s Cultural and Arts Organization.
The agency quoted the festival’s secretary, Majid Mahdavi as saying that topics to be considered in arranging the Haft-Seen include ’Waiting for Lord of the Time, Imam Mahdi (May God Hasten His Reappearance), Martyrdom, Love and Affection, Family, Environment Advocacy and Forgiveness.
The first festival of Haft-Seen was held last year. Tehran Municipality will award those who arrange the best Haft-Seen tablecloth by offering them a free pilgrimage with expenses borne by the organizers.
Mahdavi said that the festival will be held at Farhang-e Shahr Institute in the southern end of City Park
(Park-e Shahr).

TEHRAN, March 16--Vice president and head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization has said that the country has become a safe haven for illegal excavations and sale of smuggled objects.
Hossein Marashi told a meeting on the return of smuggled artifacts from Halil-Roud civilization, near Jiroft, from Britain, that the Islamic Republic has managed to get back 130 stolen items in five consignments. “Some 118 objects returned from Britain are on display at the National Museum,“ he pointed out.
The official was quoted by ISNA as saying that repatriation of the items was possible through the joint efforts of the Foreign Ministry and Iran’s Embassy in London in cooperation of Britain’s Customs.
“Given the fact that our country is a safe haven for those engaged in illegal excavations, we should station guards at historical sites in cooperation with Intelligence Ministry as well the Judiciary,“ Marashi said.
He hoped that other countries including Britain will extend full cooperation in this respect so that the detrimental phenomenon can be dealt with seriously.
Noting that the residents of areas in which historical sites are situated are the greatest supporters of the country’s cultural heritage, the official further stated that protection quotient can be increased by strengthening the cultural heritage lovers associations and utilizing surveillance equipment as well as extending operations by guards.
He underlined that the government should make the people familiar with the issue noting that the locals, who have not enough information about the significance of historical items, sometimes help the smugglers in their nefarious designs.

TEHRAN, March 16--Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar said in an article titled ’Names and Objects in Inner Mirror’ published in its Sunday edition that outstanding Iranian painter Kamaleddin Behzad is the pioneer of Iranian and Islamic art of miniature, IRNA reported.
Reviewing the book ’Behzad, Vanguard of Iranian Miniature’ written by Michael Bari, the newspaper wrote that the French writer has focused on the influence of mysticism on Iranian art of painting, particularly those observed in Behzad’s works.
According to An-Nahar, the Italian painter Gently Bellini, who was born in 1480, was the first Western artist to discover Iranian art of miniature and grasped its importance.
The newspaper further noted that studies on the history of the Muslims’ painting reveal that the painting and miniature in Islamic countries have connected the material interests and inner wishes.
An-Nahar wrote that with the invasion of Iran and other Muslim communities by the Mongolians, the Chinese art also influenced the works of Iranian miniaturists and painters.
“Behzad also managed to set up a new style in the art of miniature and now he is known as the founder Harat School,“ it said.
The Lebanese daily added that the Iranian miniaturist, who was lived during the reign of Shah Esmaeil of Safavid dynasty, became so famous that his fame surpassed national borders to reach India, as well.
The common point in his works is his reliance on spiritual and mystical issues, the daily said, adding that he tried to portray what is going on within human minds.

TEHRAN, March 16--Preparations are underway to put the finishing touches on the film ’Verdict’ which is the latest work by well-known film director Masoud Kimyaei.
According to ISNA, Jafar Panahi is making the preparations for the film.
Kimyaei said that technical side of the production will be completed by the end of summer and the film will be screened August/September.
The cast will include prominent actors such as Ezzatollah Entezami, Khosrow Shakibaei, Bahram Radan, Poulad Kimyaei and actress Leila Hatami.
The shooting of the film, which is Kimyaei’s 25th film during his 40 year career as film director, began in the beginning of winter in northern Iran.
Elaborating on his latest film, Kimyaei said the ’Verdict’ contains part of the films which were never screened. “Every part of life is a Verdict. The life begins from love and continues to death with ups and downs ranging from beautiful surroundings to sufferings. They all are the Verdict. The history and the myth, political parties, newspapers, friendship, money, mass graves all are the subject of the film.“
Kimyaei said that after Verdict, he will shoot another film which he plans to call ’Distress’.

TEHRAN, March 16--A three-day exhibit of traditional Iranian costumes was held in Wellington, New Zealand, reported IRNA.
An Iranian artist residing in New Zealand Mrs. Servat Sheida organized the exhibit which featured a variety of traditional costumes belonging to different tribes in Iran and the evolution of dressmaking.
Iran’s Ambassador in Wellington Kambiz Sheikh-Hassani, who visited the national costumes exhibit, said that the event represented the diversity of cultures in Iran and the co-existence of different cultures in the great country with a longstanding civilization.
He thanked Mrs. Sheida for organizing the exhibit which was enthusiastically received not only by the art community but also the general public in Wellington. Sheikh-Hassani said that the exhibit indicated constructive cooperation of Iranian nationals living abroad in introducing the national culture and civilization to the people of New Zealand.

TEHRAN, March 16--’Higher than the Sun’, a two-volume book about poetry and biography of Fereydoun Moshiri, will be available soon.
Author of Moshiri’s biography Mohammad Ali Shakeri-Yekta told ISNA that the book is the twentieth in a series of books about great poets and literary figures which have so far been published by Saales Publishing House.
Elaborating on the book ’Higher than the Sun’, he said that it is a documentary based on Moshiri’s manuscripts and hand-written notes obtained from the poet’s private archive.
“The book has documentary deeds about the Constitutional Movement in Iran (early 20th century) including telegraphs of Einoddoleh, prime minister in the court of Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar to Motamed ol-Mamalek, the ruler of Borujerd and several other deeds which will be published separately in Bokhara magazine in due course.
He said that selected sections of Moshiri’s poems have been printed in the second volume of ’Higher than the Sun’.