ASSIGNMENT 4: DIVERSE EVENT OR ORGANIZATION REPORT

Sizdah Bedar
Persian New Year Celebrations in Oklahoma
Gail Currier
Dr. Susan Burke/5173-Summer 2018
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Introduction
I attended what is considered the last day of the Persian New Year celebrations on April

8, 2018 at Lake Arcadia in Edmond, Oklahoma with an all-day festival called Sizdah Bedar. This

annual festival is observed by millions around the world as the end of Nowruz, the Persian New

Year, which is honored in conjunction with the beginning of spring. The exact meaning behind

the name is “new day” and is also acknowledged in the Middle East, Central Asia, Iraq, India,

and other countries. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone to learn more about this culture

and gain an educational understanding of this society. While I serve patrons in our library who

are part of this diverse culture, I also have neighbors who share this heritage. I see the

significance in learning about traditions by participating alongside of the people. This allowed

me to gain a more meaningful perspective.

Description of Event

The Sizdah Bedar event was originally scheduled for the weekend of April 1st, which is

traditionally the 13th day after their New Year. However, the festival was moved to April 8th

because of rainy weather and storms predicted during this outdoor occasion. This diverse event

attracts hundreds of people, mostly families, for a day filled with activities. I arrived around

noon to an outdoor setting, similar to a large picnic. Many of those in attendance came earlier in

the morning and parked vehicles for the day to unload camp gear, BBQ grills, strollers, baby

beds, coolers and blankets spread out on the ground. The tradition is to spend the entire day

outdoors with family and friends in commemoration of the final day of the Nowruz holiday. This

lake side casual setting allowed me to engage with families of this culture and learn from a very

personal perspective. A friend of mine, named Afsaneh, mentioned the event to me and invited

me to attend. She had other family members attending as well. The occasion offered a very

authentic view of how this culture interacts with each other. Food was plentiful and I was eager
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to sample it. Pistachio nuts soaked in lime juice and coated with salt were my favorite. All

varieties of Persian pastries were available and a dish like chicken salad, Salad Olivieh, was also

offered. There was also halvah and an assortment of fruit and melons that filled the table. A

variety of “Chelo Kebobs” were grilled by the men and traditional shish kebobs with lamb which

were served with a salad of finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions marinated in

vinegar and lemon juice. I wanted the recipe for this dish which is called Shirazi salad. I

wondered how people could eat so much. Music was playing all day and many people would

casually wander to the pavilion to watch or dance together, particularly the young adults.

Everyone was encouraged to participate. In addition, a variety of games were ongoing

throughout the day such as friendly competitions of chase among young children and an

occasional soccer ball being kicked.

I learned that this culture finds symbolic meaning in the many gifts provided to mankind

such as water. One example was shared and demonstrated at the end of the day. It is customary

to release an evil thought by throwing that thought into the water and having it transported away.

It was a serious ceremonial aspect of the event and I actually found it to be peaceful. While this

wasn’t a formal presentation or lecture, I had the privilege of absorbing information from the

family to whom I was introduced. Another tradition was explained by a younger Persian woman.

She said Sizdeh Bedar is for young single girls to find a husband by tying a knot with the Sebzeh

and making a wish. I did not understand and asked her to further explain. She continued by

referring to a phrase, “knotting the greenery,” as unmarried girls knot blades of grass (or

beansprouts in this case) which represent the hope of finding love and a companion. I tried to

knot the beansprout with little success, but others were thriving!
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The smells coming from the charcoal grills of roasting shish kebabs were wonderful and I

was invited to join Afsaneh’s family as we ate and talked about the various dishes and more

about traditions. They have been coming to the festival at Lake Arcadia for several years. Dress

was casual because it was outdoors, however, several of the older women were more

conservative in their clothing. I noticed many people visiting, strolling around and open to

anyone who wanted to join their make-shift campsites. Native languages could also be detected.

Because it was not formally structured, I can certainly consider this event an unbiased occasion

for anyone, including those outside of the culture. No lecture was made or handouts provided. It

was a method in which to partake and learn about this culture in a direct and personal way.

Upon reflection, I believe the information was accurate and intimate because it came

directly from the people who were there as they wanted me to understand their culture by

participating. Families interacted with each other and were collectively celebrating a holiday

marking “rebirth and renewal.” This information could certainly be found in literature and

through online resources. However, actually experiencing the festival with others helped with the

comprehension of meaning.

This organized event aided in my understanding of the Middle Eastern culture and my

neighbors as well. From my observation, all ages were represented in attendance and several

cultures including Middle Eastern, Iranians, Caucasian and Hispanic. Again, it delivered a

perception and awareness of a culture that resides in Oklahoma and utilizes public library

services.

Assessment of Event and Applied Usage:

The Sizdah Bedar festival was successful in delivering a significant understanding of a

diverse culture, and one where many may be uninformed. While the learning opportunity was
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unstructured, it was inclusive, and genuinely allowed me to ask questions and engage in

activities while maintaining my ability to feel comfortable. Those attending the festival provided

and offered food, the opportunity to engage in traditions, and delivered information through

storytelling. I was able to learn the history and customs from representatives that live and

practice them every day. Moreover, this community shares services such as the public library.

Culturally diverse events are positive ways to absorb information in relaxed settings. The festival

was well attended and still felt intimate.

Careful planning of a similar cultural event can be applied on a smaller scale in many

libraries. Researching the culture’s history and inviting citizens in the community to share their

heritage with others is an excellent way to impact multiple populations. Guests from all

backgrounds will learn from these experiences. A park setting can replicate the picnic area I

attended at Lake Arcadia. Collaborating with other organizations, including religious groups, art

councils, and main street associations will aid in the event’s success. It is important for library

staff to develop an understanding of the culture prior to hosting it. By including those from the

culture, authenticity will be achieved.

As more families utilize public services, it is in the best interest of libraries, such as

Champion Public Library in Ardmore, to increase awareness in the community by hosting and

participating in diverse celebrations. Knowledge is power when it comes to understanding

different cultures. Information professionals can foster growth in the library and in their

profession by reaching out to include all people. They can also enrich the mission of education

and literacy by helping newcomers become involved in a community. Many are not aware of

services and learning opportunities available to them and their families. Making newcomers feel

welcomed to the area and the library is the goal.

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According to the Iranian Library and Information Association, library events should be a

friendly place to gather with others (Khosravi and Akbari-Daryan). No agenda is necessary to

participate in friendly conversation. The association promotes interest in library populations by

seeking out enrichment opportunities (Khoosravi and Akbari-Daryan). The goal is to generate a

comfortable situation.

Library systems such as the Southern Oklahoma Library System are encouraged to form

committees of internal and outside citizens to find opportunities to engage Middle Eastern

populations and others in their library communities. This can develop lasting relationships and

increase support for the library. Libraries can position themselves in the spirit of providing

interesting and culturally diverse opportunities for all citizens with materials, displays, and

community events.

Conclusion:

Showing consideration for culturally diverse populations will determine the success of a

library in the public’s eye. Collaborating with notable organizations in the community and

having a presence at various events develops a better understanding of the culture and provides a

message that libraries are key players in society. Moreover, engaging with members of a

different culture can give new meaning to relationships. Libraries can be significant participants

in removing the barriers of diverse cultures by working together to connect people through a

variety of educational approaches.

Bibliography

Khosravi, Faribor and Akbari-Daryan, Saeedeh. 2017. “Iranian Library and Information Science
Association (ILISA) in Service of Civil Society: A Pattern for Middle East Countries.”
Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 1-11.