© Aida Ahmadi & Atefeh Karimi

Today marks the first day of spring and the Persian New Year, known as “Nowruz”, meaning “New Day”. Rooted in ancient Persia, Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and is observed by millions of people across Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia and the Middle East.

A central Nowruz tradition is the “Haft-Seen” table, which translates to “Seven Ss”. It includes seven symbolic items, each beginning with the Persian letter S, representing themes such as health, love, and prosperity. In addition to these, many families include other meaningful items, such as candles for light and happiness, a mirror for reflection and self-awareness, painted eggs for fertility, a goldfish for life and movement, a book of poetry for knowledge and spirituality, and an orange floating in water symbolizing the Earth suspended in space.

In the weeks leading up to Nowruz, families prepare by cleaning their homes, symbolizing a fresh start. At the moment of the spring equinox, whether it falls during the day or at night, families gather around the Haft-Seen table to welcome the new year together. The celebrations continue for 13 days, during which people visit family and friends, share meals, and sometimes exchange small gifts. For many, Nowruz is both a cultural and seasonal celebration that highlights the importance of nature, reflection, and renewal.

A mini Haft-Seen table has been set up in front of the auditorium at ASTRON, where you can learn more about the meaning of the items and enjoy Persian sweets. The table will be on display for one week. This is part of a new initiative supported by the Equity & Inclusion Committee called “Culture Corner”, where everyone is welcome to share their culture with colleagues at ASTRON. For more information, contact eic@astron.nl.