Intro
Nowruz Poster
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Nowruz poster (State Dept.)
The fourth annual Nowruz celebration at the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries on March 4 attracted participants from the Washington metropolitan area who danced, played and feasted their way into the spring. Attractions included Haft-Sin table displays, fire jumping, epic stories from the Book of Kings, performances by vocalist Monika Jalili and the Nomad Dancers and, of course, traditional Persian food and sweets.
1.
Smithsonian Castle
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Front of Smithsonian Castle (State Dept.)
The mission of the Smithsonian, the world’s largest educational and research institution and associated museum complex, is “the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” Diversity is one of its core values. In this tradition, the Freer and Sackler Galleries celebrated Nowruz with its visitors from all walks of life for the fourth consecutive year.
The Smithsonian Institution is administered and funded by the government of the United States and with funds from its endowment and contributions.
Here, a statue of Joseph Henry, an American scientist who served as the first secretary of the Smithsonian, stands in front of the Smithsonian Institution Building, known as the Smithsonian Castle.
2.
Haft-Sin Table
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Table spread with decorative items (State Dept.)
In 2009, Nowruz was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2010 the U.N.’s General Assembly recognized March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz and called on countries worldwide to draw on the holiday’s rich history to promote peace and good will. Nowruz is celebrated in Iran, the Caucasus, South, West and Central Asia, and by Iranians around the world.
At this year’s event, three Haft-Sin tables were displayed at different locations in the Freer and Sackler Galleries. Ushers of Iranian descent explained the meaning and the symbolism of each item.
3.
Fire Jumping
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Child jumping over artificial fire (State Dept.)
The open society in the United States enables cross-cultural exchanges at all levels. By organizing this event, the Smithsonian Institution not only exposes the tradition of Nowruz to non-Iranians, but keeps the younger generations of Iranian descent in touch with their history and heritage and offers a deeper view to those already familiar with it.
In this photo, a little boy wearing a traditional costume jumps over the “fire” in preparation for the Chaharshanbeh Suri fire festival.
4.
Games
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: People playing backgammon (State Dept.)
Chess and backgammon tournaments kept some visitors busy during a beautiful but cold March afternoon.
5.
Metal Plate
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Metal plate with hunting scene (State Dept.)
The exhibition Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran, a collection of luxury metalwork from ancient Iran, is considered one of the largest and finest holdings of its kind. Works date from the first millennium BCE to the early Islamic period.
The metal plate in this picture was produced during the fourth century CE for Shapur II, the Sasanian king who is identified by his distinctive crown. He was one of the most powerful rulers of the Sasanian dynasty, which controlled Iran and much of the Ancient Near East from 224 to 651.
6.
Haft-Sin Photobooth
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Photo of people in the Haft-Sin Photo Booth (State Dept.)
Memory photo booths were set up for visitors to take pictures of themselves, family and friends as souvenirs of the event.
7.
Persepolis Memory Photobooth
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Persepolis Memory Photo Booth equipment and background (State Dept.)
At the Persepolis Memory Photo Booth, visitors donned costumes and sat in a chair with the remains of Persepolis in the background.
8.
Xanthe Gresham
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Xanthe Gresham on stage (State Dept.)
Honoring Persian literature, storyteller Xanthe Gresham enchanted the audience, young and adult, with epic stories from Ferdowsi’s Book of Kings, including “Creation, the Demons and King Zahak,” “The Simorgh, Zal and Rudaba,” “The Adventures of Rustam and Rahksh,” and “Darab and Queen Humai.”
In this photo, Gresham interacts with children in the audience and encourages their participation in enacting one of the stories.
9.
Monika Jalili
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Monika Jalili and band on stage (State Dept.)
Vocalist Monika Jalili and her ensemble of violin, guitar, oud and percussion took the audience at the packed Meyer Auditorium on a musical journey, singing cherished Iranian folk and love songs from the 1940s through the 1970s, including “Soltan-e Ghalbhaa,” “Jaan-e Maryam” and “Daryache Noor.”
See a related article: “U.S. Musicians Put Their Own Twist on Popular Persian Songs.”
10.
Nomad Dancers
Credit: State Dept.
ALT: Nomad Dancers posing (State Dept.)
Members of the Nomad Dancers pose before their last performance of the day in the Freer Gallery courtyard. After each performance, they engaged and danced with the audience. Nomad Dancers is a collective inspired by traditions of India, Persia, Central Asia and Turkey, traveling across borders and bridging cultures in search of the ultimate dance experience.