w Generation

By: Kamran Partovi Staff Writer As the winter draws to the close, people all over the world prepare for the festivities of Nowruz, a celebration of the New Year that is based on the Persian solar calendar which begins at the moment of the vernal equinox. Nowruz, which literally means new day in Persian, has a far-reaching history that goes all the way back to antiquity. Before the Arab conquest of the Persian Empire in the 7th century, Zoroastrianism was the dominant and state religion. Nowruz was one of the holiest Zoroastrian festivals, believed by some to have been invented by Zoroaster himself. It was the most important celebration during the Achaemenid Empire, as some have even suggested that the ancient capital city of Persepolis, or at least the Apadana and Hundred Columns Palace was built for the main purpose of celebrating the new year. Extensive records of Nowruz continue throughout the Parthian and Sassanid Empires, up to the Arab invasion

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Happy Persian New Year!

and eventual decline of Zoroastrianism in Persia. The Arab conquest of Persia changed the fabric of Iranian traditions and celebrations. While many celebrations got pushed aside by Islamic traditions, Nowruz survived because of its deep roots in Iranian culture and identity. Although it was changed slightly, it lived on. Nowruz, as is celebrated by the Iranian people, consists of many traditions and customs. These include the haft sin, the traditional table setting of objects symbolic of the blessings of the new year, the traditional meal of sabzi polo ba mahi, or fried fish with rice and herbs, and the festivities of jumping over fire on Chaharshanbe Souri and going on picnics on Sizdah Bedar. But Nowruz is not only officially celebrated in Iran, but also in Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and unofficially in Bosnia, India, Macedonia, Pakistan, Serbia, and China. Traditions differ by region; for example, in Afghanistan, the haft mewa, a fruit salad of seven fruits, is prepared instead of the haft sin. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly designated and recognized March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz, described as a spring festival of renewal, peace, and solidarity. As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, Nowruz is a day for family and friends, for festive meals, for dancing and singing. It is a day to celebrate the value of mutual respect and the aspiration for harmony held by all societies. It is a moment for cleansing and rebirth, an opportunity to renew wishes of peace and goodwill. This year, when youre celebrating Nowruz, think about the ancient roots of this holiday that is still celebrated today by people all over the world. It is certainly a fitting time for the new year to begin, a fitting time for renewal and rebirth, and a fitting celebration of Iranian identity. (All photos courtesy of IAAB and Google Images)

The Seven "Sins" of the Haft Seen

By: Niloufar Sadroddini Staff Writer Its the most wonderful time of the year, its Nowruz of course! Nowruz, also known as Persian New Year is celebrated on the first day of spring. The celebration lasts for 13 days and there are many rituals that take place during that time. One of the most important rituals of Nowruz is preparing the Haft-Seen (the Seven Ss) table. The Haft-Seen table includes seven items specifically starting with the letter S, or Seen in the Persian Alphabet, and each of the items on the table represent spring and have a symbolic meaning behind them. The most common Haft-Seen items are:

Your Nowruz Horoscopes Revealed

By: Andia Shamsai Contributing Writer
The new year can be known as one of the hardest yet refreshing moments of your life. Going from setting up the haft-seen to cleaning the house, but these horoscopes might just help you on what youll really be good at this year! March 21- April 9: Aries Your determination strikes when making haft-seens! When it comes to getting the ball rolling, an Aries is the best. You pioneer everything from creating the best haft-seens to parties when Nowruz strikes. April 20 - May 20: Taurus Although needing help from your fellow friends, your creative dance for the Nowruz celebration is going to blow peoples minds away from your handmade hats to the ringling new skirts. May 21- June 20: Gemini Even though you know the fish on the haft-seen will be a killer sell, your curious to whether youll raise enough money for the charity event you have for your community, since of course, geminis are the most affectionate types of people. June 21 - July 22: Cancer Being compassionate about how wonderful the mirror on your haft-seen which represents the reflections of creation as cancers celebrate the ancient Persian traditions and beliefs that took place on the first day of spring. July 23- August 22: Leo Your humor and passion towards making Nowruz 2013 one of the most memorable years for your friends and family is stressing you out, but dont worry, your charm makes it hard for anyone to resist not having fun with you! August 23 - September 22: Virgo Since Virgos are the most hardworking type of people, your Nowruz party for 2013 is going to lead people into a whole new fantastic year! Your methodical approach to life ensures that nothing in the new year is missed. September 23 - October 22: Libra When it comes to keeping everything on an even keel like cooking your famous Sabzi polo ba mahi or Kookoo Sabzi, a Libran will lead the pack. October 23 - November 21: Scorpio Even though you dont show it, spring cleaning, visits to family and the Sabzeh (small pots of wheat) are not only obligations but what makes you excited about the new year to come. November 22 - December 21: Sagittarius Your great sense of humor is what gets people going for the new year. Since you just happen to have so much enthusiasm, you're one of the Hajji Firuz, tapping on the tambourine happens to be your favorite hobby. December 22 - January 19: Capricorn Capricorns are a big fan of family and tradition. You will be responsible for helping to create a beautiful Nowruz haft-seen and will end up rewarding you in the future. January 20 - Febuary 18: Aquarius For the 2013 Persian New Year you will tend to make a lot of progression you didnt have the chance to make last year. Be prepared! February 19 - March 20: Pisces Youre understanding of the people around you brings you to be one of the most rewarding human beings of the new year to come. Everyone will come to you for counselling on Nowruz. Time to get your generosity on!

1. Sabzeh: Wheat, lentil, or barley sprouts growing in a dish. It represents rebirth of nature, new beginnings, and the start of spring. 2. Seeb: Apple represents natural beauty and health. 3. Seer: Garlic cloves represent medicine as they fight disease, and therefore, representing better health and wellness. 4. Samanu: A sweet pudding made from wheat germ and its a high calorie food with vitamin E. It represents strength and affluence. 5. Serkeh: Vinegar symbolizes age and patience. 6. Sumac: Dried sumac are famously known for sprinkling over kebobs. However, on the Haft-Seen table, sumac berries represent the color of dawn, and the beginning of a new day. 7. Senjed: The dried fruit of the Oleaster tree and its been said that if one sits under a Senjed tree, its fragrance and its fruit will make people fall in love. And thus, it symbolizes love.

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Pardis: The New G

Camp Ayandeh 2013
By: Sara Hojjatie Pardis: TNG Editor From an editor's perspective, I would not have been given the opportunity to start Pardis: TNG if it were not for the connections made through attending Camp Ayandeh. From a young Iranian-American's perspective, I would not be as confident and connected with my culture if it were not for the identity-building activities and strong friendships created through this experience. I can easily say that deciding to attend Camp Ayandeh was one of the best decisions of my life. Relating with other individuals my age who have experienced growing up Iranian in America allowed me to discover a deeper level of understanding and unity unparalleled to anything I have experienced before. Attending this camp will help you grow as a leader, discover more about yourself, and establish friendships that will last a lifetime with people from all over the world. So what are you waiting for?

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Pardis: The New Generation Staff

Sara Hojjatie Editor Kamran Partovi Staff Writer Niloufar Sadroddini Staff Writer Roxana Hojjatie Staff Writer

HEY YOU! Are you interested in being a contributing writer for

Pardis: TNG? Email pardismag@gmail.com with the heading and you could be in next months issue!

How Attending Camp Changed My Perspective

By: Autusa Pahlavan Contributing Writer I first attended IAABs Camp Ayandeh in the summer of 2009, before entering my sophomore year of high school. I had already been a part of a large Iranian community at my Persian school, but I was still really looking forward to meeting Iranians from all over the country and learning more about the Iranian community here in the United States. I am really glad I made the decision to go to camp, because I was able to find a second family and a place I could consider home. Camp Ayandeh encourages you to be proud of your identity and embrace a leadership role in your community. Before camp, I was not an outspoken person and would not have considered myself a leader. However, through group discussions and amazing workshops, I realized that people were truly interested in hearing what I had to say and valued my opinion, which gave me the confidence to apply the skills I learned outside of camp and emerge as a leader. Also, there were many cultural workshops that allowed me to learn more about the culture and customs of the Iranian people. Being able to participate in these activities with my Iranian peers gave me the sense that I was in Iran with my friends, just like my parents before they moved here. I enjoyed my experience so much that I returned as a camper for three more years, and I had an amazing time each year. Camp Ayandeh is a unique place that empowers Iranian-American youth and helps them grow into inspirational individuals who can make a powerful impact in our community. I recommend that all Iranian-American students participate in this and IAABs other programsit is truly a life-changing experience.

College Students: Apply to be a Counselor!

By: Sogand Afkari Contributing Writer I grew up on the fringes of the Iranian American community and as a result I grew up with a more intimate relationship to my motherland, Iran, than my own diaspora. I would spend my summers in Iran nestled in the affection of family and fostering a romanticized image of my motherland. Then I would return to my own country, the U.S., and have to confront the bleak truth. Which was that I had no Iranian Americans friends with whom I could engage in conversations with about a country that I learned to truly love. There was always a glaring deficit of Iranian Americans in my life ... until I attended Camp Ayandeh. Two years ago when I was introduced to Camp Ayandeh my initial response was "Why didn't I know about this when I was in high school?" I initially saw it as an opportunity to experience Ayandeh vicariously through the campers. Although I was finally able to fill that gaping social hole in my life, my Camp Ayandeh experience was more rewarding than I ever could have conceived. I was incredibly inspired by everyone at Camp from the Executive Director of Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB), Mana Kharrazi, to my fellow counselors to my small group of graduating high school seniors. The sense of awareness and the collective interest in community building that was expressed throughout camp was thought provoking and empowering. I walked out of Camp Ayandeh not only with budding lifelong friendships but with a sense of place and purpose in the diaspora, a community that before I had little relationship with.

Camp Ayandeh is for rising high school freshman to college freshman and lasts from July 1-10. Camp Javan is for rising sixth through eighth graders and lasts from July 4-10. Both camps will take place at Whittier College in Los Angeles, California. Applications for these camps are due April 1st, and space is limited, so please apply early for this experience you don't want to miss! Visit www.iranianalliances.org and click on "Programs" for more info.