YEREVAN. - The new 1395th year, Nowruz, was solemnly celebrated in Yerevan today. In this connection, the Iranian Embassy in Armenia held a gala concert of Armenian-Iranian traditional music in Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.  

The event was also attended by Armenian Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan and  Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Seyed Kazem Sadjadi.

Before the concert, the guests had an opportunity to look at and buy the exhibits presented at the Iranian art exhibition.

Nowruz is the first day of the Iranian calendar, the spring break. The word “Nowruz” is translated as “new day” from Tajik-Persian language. The festivities usually last for 13 days, the 5 of which are dedicated to Nowruz and visiting of relatives and friends.

According to the ancient tradition, before Nowruz people have to clear their houses and the surroundings, and pay their debts.  The preparation of Haft Seen is a traditional ceremony during Nowruz. It consists of seven items, the names of which starte with “S”: 1. Seer (سیر) – garlic – symbolizing medicine,  2. Seeb (سیب) – apple, symbolizing beauty, 3. Sabzeh (سبزه) – wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts, symbolizing nature rebirth 3. Senjed (سنجد) – oleaster, symbolizing love 4. Serkeh (سرکه) – vinegar, symbolizing wisdom and patience 6. Samanu (سمنو) – wheat germ  pudding, symbolizing affluence and 7. Somāq (سماق) – sumac,  symbolizing sunrise.