Nowruz

March 20, 2023

[This article is copied form Twinkle.  For a more detailed description of this event, see Wikipedia. blogger]

What is Nowruz?

Nowruz (also called Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz depending upon country) is a UN-recognised New Year holiday that marks the Spring Equinox. It is celebrated by hundreds of millions of diverse communities around the world. Much like the spring holiday of other cultures, Nowruz is an eco-friendly holiday which champions unity, peace and solidarity between generations, growth, and renewal.

When is Nowruz?

In 2023, Nowruz, (Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz) will take place on Sunday the 20th of March.

Why do people celebrate Nowruz?

Nowruz is the first day of the first month, and features in the Iranian and Persian calendars, amongst many others.

It signals the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Nowruz has been celebrated by people of different faiths for over 3000 years.

How do people celebrate Nowruz?

For several weeks leading up to Nowruz, families get to work cleaning their homes from top to bottom.

Decluttering homes and getting rid of dirt means they are ready to start afresh in the new year.

A bonfire is lit the evening before the Persian New Year, and fireworks and firecrackers are set off.

It is traditional to sing the words, “my yellow is yours, your red is mine,” into the fire, to replace problems and illness with health and energy for the new year. [The time of this celebration is in fact the night before the last Wednesday of the previous year. blogger]

The evening before Nowruz begins, children knock on neighbours’ doors, noisily banging pans with spoons and neighbours then give them pastries, sweets or nuts.

On the thirteenth day, it is considered bad luck to stay inside, so families head out to the countryside, parks or cities to spend the day outdoors.

How can I teach children about Nowruz?

At Twinkl, we're excited to help all those who teach and are constantly looking for new ways to support educators in their lessons at school and at home.

To help you explain the topic of Nowruz with your children, we’ve created this fantastic All About Iranian New Year Information PowerPoint. On download, you’ll find there are ten beautifully designed and illustrated slides to walk you through your lesson on the Persian New Year.

Children will learn about traditions during Nowruz, why people celebrate the occasion and when it takes place.

You can also use this Iranian New Year Reading Comprehension resource to support your lessons with KS2. Each comprehension is full of information about when, why and how Nowruz is celebrated, and includes differentiated questions along with answers.

Did you know that the award-winning Twinkl PlanIt has a whole scheme of work dedicated to Religious Education? Written by experienced educators, there are lesson packs with planning, PowerPoints, display resources, assessment materials, activity sheets and so much more. What are you waiting for? Check it out today!