New Year

Iranian New Year known as Nowruz is celebrated on March 21st of each year. It is a national
holiday that brings together Iranians of all ethnicity and religious affiliation. Nowruz literally
means “new day” and it starts at the precise moment when winter ends and spring begins. It
is officially celebrated for two whole weeks.
The most essential tradition of Nowruz is for every family to prepare the Haft Sin which
consists of 7 symbolic items that start with the letter “S” in Farsi. Each item is a symbol of
spring and renewal.
During Nowruz celebration, it is customary to visit close family members and relatives
starting with the eldest ones. Persian sweets, candies, nuts (ajeel), tea and fruits are
generously served.

Glossary:
❖ Known (adj) → # unknown (adj) / To know (v)
❖ Ethnicity (n) → ethnic background / race (n) / nationality (n) / ethnic (adj)
❖ Religious (adj) → # Irreligious (adj) / religion (n) / religiously (adv)
❖ Affiliation (n) → association with an organization (political, religious, … )
❖ Literally (adv) → exactly (adv) / really (adv)
❖ Precise (adj) → exact (adj) / precisely (adv)
❖ To end (v) → # To start (v) / endless (adj) / endlessly (adv)
❖ Officially (adv) → formally (adv) / # unofficially (adv) / official (adj) # unofficial (adj) /
❖ Whole (adj) → entire (adj)
❖ Essential (adj) → vital (adj) / important (adj) / crucial (adj) / # inessential (adj) /
essentially (adv)
❖ Tradition (n) → established practice (n) / habit (n) / custom (n) / traditional (adj) /
traditionally (adv)
❖ To prepare (v) → To make or get ready / preparation (n) / Prepared (adj) #
unprepared (adj) / To prepare (v)
❖ To consist of (v) → To include (v) / To contain (v)
❖ Renewal (n, uncountable) → recurrence (n) / renewable (adj) / renewed (adj) / To
renew (v)
❖ Customary (adj) → something that is customary is normal because it is the way
something is usually done / usual (adj) / custom (n)
❖ Eldest (adj) → oldest (adj) / most grown up
❖ Sweet (n/BrE) → sweet food / Sweets (plural) / To sweeten (v)
Sweet (adj) : sweet tea / sweet dream
❖ Candy (n/AmE) → sweet food / candies (plural)
❖ Generously (adv) → giving / big-hearted / generosity (n) / generous (adj) # mean
(adj) / stingy (adj)