Today March 21 begins the Persian New Year

Which one sounds better? A family and community celebration of the first day of spring as a time of renewal, hope and change? Or an evening of getting drunk and shrieking “Happy New Year” at total strangers in the middle of winter? I dunno, that’s a tough one.

Today, March 21 in most of the world, is the Persian New Year, Nowruz (“New Day”), and anyone with an interest in the environment ought to be able to relate to it – it’s one of the most life-affirming festivals there is. To celebrate the New Year in spring at the vernal equinox makes sense to me anyway.

Nowruz is the most important holiday in many countries around the world, notably Iran where it originated in the Zoroastrian faith, but to call it the “Persian New Year” over-simplifies. It’s celebrated by hundreds of millions of people from Albania to India. Here in Encino it’s a big deal and the local community will celebrate on the 13th day of Nowruz at Lake Balboa on Sunday April 4. This is the last day of Nowruz, known as Sizdah bedar, which literally means “Getting rid of the 13 (days)” by getting outdoors into parks or the countryside. Entry into Balboa Park will cost $15 each.

Nowruz begins at the exact moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator and many families gather together to celebrate at that exact moment – as long as it isn’t in the middle of the night – which discourages the less motivated. It follows a time for spring cleaning, buying new clothes and food preparation and it kicks off a round of visiting family and friends.