Daily News
Special Report World News
What is Nowruz?
What is an equinox?
• Twice a year, day and night are roughly
the same length in both the northern and
southern hemispheres.
• This happens around 21st March and 22nd
September every year. These are known as
the spring equinox and the autumn equinox.
For many people, the equinox on 20th March
marks the beginning of spring in the northern
hemisphere. But, for more than 300 million
people, it also marks the start of a new year.
Nowruz is an annual holiday that’s been
celebrated for more than 3000 years.
The word Nowruz means ‘new day’. The
holiday is often called Persian New Year or
Iranian New Year.
Nowruz is celebrated across many countries
including Iran, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.
Like all annual holidays around the world,
there are many traditions connected to 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 symbolises getting ready for a
new start.
Before Nowruz, families prepare a special
table in their homes. Seven important foods
and spices are placed on the table. Each begins
with the letter ‘s’ so the table is called haft-
seen - which means seven s’s. Many families
also add other items to the haft-seen that are
important to them.
Like on Halloween, it’s traditional during the
celebrations for children to visit their neighbours
and be given sweet treats. Unlike Halloween, the
children do this while making a lot of noise by
clashing pans and spoons together.
Fire plays an important role in many Nowruz
celebrations. It’s common for people to set off
Tadmore Tutors Tuition
17th March 2023
Photo: An example of a haft-seen.
fireworks and build bonfires. In the UK, that
might sound similar to Bonfire Night. However,
one key difference is that during Nowruz some
people choose to leap over the bonfires! It’s a
tradition believed to bring good luck and health
for the new year.
Nowruz lasts for 13 days. During this time,
special meals are eaten, people spend time with
their families and gifts are exchanged.
There are different Nowruz traditions in
all the different places where it is celebrated.
However, some other common traditions include
giving money to children, decorating eggs and
enjoying street parties.
Of course, as with many celebrations around
the world, it’s not just about food, gifts and
parties. According to the UN, Nowruz is a chance
for ‘strengthening the ties among peoples based
on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and
good neighbourliness.’
Happy Nowruz!
Glossary
decluttering Tidy and make space by
removing unused things.
symbolises Represents or stands for
something else.
exchanged Given and received.
mutual Something felt equally by two
or more people.
 Questions
1. How long does Nowruz last for?


2. Which of the following definitions is closest in meaning to the word ‘neighbourliness’ as it

is used in the final paragraph? (tick one)

Being competitive with your neighbours.

Helpful and friendly behaviour towards the people who live near you.
The people who live next door.
Dislike of the people who live near you.

3. In your own words, describe what a haft-seen is.





4. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false according to the article.
True False
A Nowruz tradition is to spring clean the home.
In some places, it’s traditional to jump over bonfires.
A Nowruz tradition is to put a tree up in your home and decorate it.
Nowruz is celebrated every year.

5. Using information from the article, fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
The festival of is also known as Persian New Year or Iranian
New Year. It has been celebrated for more than .

6. Which Nowruz traditions are your favourite or which Nowruz traditions would you enjoy
doing? Explain your answer.





Tadmore Tutors Tuition

 Answers
1. How long does Nowruz last for?
13 days

2. Which of the following definitions is closest in meaning to the word ‘neighbourliness’ as it

is used in the final paragraph? (tick one)

Being competitive with your neighbours.

 Helpful and friendly behaviour towards the people who live near you.
The people who live next door.
Dislike of the people who live near you.

3. In your own words, describe what a haft-seen is.

Accept any reasonable answer referring to a table with seven symbolic items on it each
beginning with the letter s, e.g. A haft-seen is a table with seven important foods and
spices on it.

4. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false according to the article.
True False
A Nowruz tradition is to spring clean the home. 
In some places, it’s traditional for some people to jump over bonfires. 
A Nowruz tradition is to put a tree up in your home and decorate it. 
Nowruz is celebrated every year. 

5. Using information from the article, fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
The festival of Nowruz is also known as Persian New Year or Iranian New
Year. It has been celebrated for more than 3000 years .

6. Which Nowruz traditions are your favourite or which Nowruz traditions would you enjoy
doing? Explain your answer.
Accept any reasonable answer that is explained, e.g. I’d like to visit neighbours and be
given sweets while banging a pan with a spoon.

Tadmore Tutors Tuition