AYLİN ÖNEY TAN
Spring feasts combined: Shared meanings, separate tables
This year, in Iran, the spring equinox time would have been the time for double celebrations. The Persian New Year Nowruz coincided with Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Nowruz is the most important celebration in Iranian culture. It is not confined to a single day or night, preparations start well ahead of time, and a convivial atmosphere lingers in the air, together with the spring vibe. It is also the time for spring cleaning. The house is completely swept of former year’s dust and dirt, the floors are cleaned, and the huge Persian rugs are brought outdoors for a good wash. All is executed with utmost care to start anew with a clean slate. The same is true for Chinese New Year celebrations, and interestingly, the exact same is true for the upcoming Jewish Passover, which starts on April 1. Christian Easter traditions also involve spring cleaning, which are also soon: Catholic Easter is on April 5, and Orthodox Easter is on April 12. In some practices, getting ready for the spring celebrations, also include getting rid of clutter and old clothes, as if cleaning off cobwebs.
March 23 2026
