University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

Public Invited to Celebrate Iranian New Year at CSUN

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., March 9, 2007) — Cal State Northridge’s Iranian Student Association invited the public to join it in celebrating the Iranian New Year on Wednesday, March 14.

The event is scheduled to take place from 3:30 to 7 p.m. in the Northridge Center of the University Student Union on the east side of the campus off Zelzah Avenue. It will feature Iranian music, dancers and Persian food.

"This event is a cultural celebration meant to showcase the Iranian New Year, culture and people," said sophomore Nilou Jabbari, a member of CSUN’s Iranian Student Association.

The start of spring, Jabbari said, signifies the Iranian new year. "Welcoming in a new year is a very important tradition for Iranians, a tradition originally started in the Persian Empire 2,500 years ago," she said.

Sophomore Ghazaleh Ehsan-Nia, president of the association, explained that the tradition is rooted in Zoroastrian faith and not so much a religious celebration but a cultural one. Thus, Wednesday’s celebration will include a traditional Haft Seen Table—a table set with seven items that all start with the letter "S". The items are meant to showcase various symbolic virtues, and their placement on the table is meant to "greet the new year with good blessings."

For more information about the Iranian New Year Celebration, call modern and classical languages professor Homa Esfarjani at (818) 677-3450 or e-mail homa.esfarjani@csun.edu.