Celebrating Nowruz: Persian New Year & the Treasures of the Mechanics’ Institute Library

By, Roya Koutchekinia, Library Intern (A picture of my mom's Haft-seen)

The Persian New Year, Nowruz, is a 3,000-year-old spring festival celebrated by millions worldwide. Rooted in Zoroastrianism, it is celebrated in many countries other than Iran,  including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. 

Nowruz begins at the exact moment of the vernal equinox and heralds the arrival of spring. It usually falls between March 19th  and 21st, occurring on Thursday, March 20 this year (at 2:01 am Pacific Time). Families excitedly anticipate the start of Nowruz by gathering around a Haft-seen to await the exact moment of the equinox. Haft-seen is a table setting of seven symbolic items beginning with the letter S, which represents renewal, good health, and fortune for the new year. 

Before Nowruz, preparation for the new year begins with deep cleaning of one’s home (khaneh Tekani) and purchasing new clothes to start the year fresh.  On the eve of the last Wednesday of the year, families celebrate Chaharshanbeh Souri by jumping over bonfires- a ritual cleansing away of misfortunes from the previous year and the triumph of light over darkness. Families and friends visit each other’s homes, paying respect, sharing delectable meals and sweets, and giving gifts. The festivities conclude with Sizdeh Bedar, a picnic day on the 13th day of the new year. 

Nowruz at the Mechanics’ Institute Library 

Here at the  Mechanics’ Institute, we mark the Persian New Year by sharing some of the treasures in our library collection- books, films, and poetry to help you explore Persian culture, literature, and cuisine.

Classical Persian Poetry 

Poetry has always been central to Persian culture, and Nowruz is a perfect time to reflect on the works of Iran’s greatest poets. Explore these classics at the library:

• Rumi: The Big Red Book (Coleman Barks) – A mystical journey through Rumi’s poetry on love and unity. (891.5 J26bb)

• The Essential Rumi – A collection of Rumi’s most powerful and inspiring poetry. (891.5 J26b)

• The Divan of Hafez – The renowned poetry of Hafez is known for its beauty and mysticism. (891.51 H13)

• The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyam – A new translation of this classic Persian poetry. (891.51 O54g)

• Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings (Ferdowsi)– An epic tale of Persian history and mythology. (891.51 F52d).

Contemporary Persian Literature

Beyond classic poetry, modern Iranian writers offer powerful stories about identity, exile, and cultural transformation. The Mechanic’s Institute Library has a fantastic selection of novels, graphic memoirs, and anthologies, including:

• Persepolis & Persepolis 2 – Marjane Satrapi’s acclaimed graphic memoir about growing up during and after the Iranian Revolution. (2nd Floor Graphic Novels - 92 S253 v.1)

• Reading Lolita in Tehran – Azar Nafisi’s memoir of an underground book club where Iranian women read forbidden Western literature. (820.9 N14, 2nd Floor Display)

• Women Without Men – Shahrnush Parsipur’s surreal feminist novella about five women navigating societal oppression. (Fiction - 2nd Floor)

• Strange Times, My Dear: The PEN Anthology of Contemporary Iranian Literature – A modern Persian fiction and poetry collection. (891.5 S897, Balcony 2A)

• Journey from the Land of No – Roya Hakakian’s memoir about growing up in revolutionary Iran. (955 H155, Balcony 2A)

• Funny in Farsi – Firoozeh Dumas’s humorous and heartwarming memoir of growing up Iranian in America. (2nd Floor Display)

These books offer unique perspectives on Iranian history, politics, and everyday life, making them great additions to a Nowruz reading list.

Persian Cuisine & Cooking

Nowruz wouldn’t be complete without traditional Persian dishes. Discover the flavors of Persian cooking with these books:

• Cooking in Iran: Regional recipes & kitchen secrets (Najmieh Batmanglij)-   An extensive exploration of Iran's regional cuisines, featuring over 250 recipes and 400 photographs from the author's extensive travels across the country. (641.5955 B3210) 

• The Art of Persian Cooking (Forough-es-Saltaneh Hekmat) – A historical look at Persian culinary traditions. (641.5955 H47)

• In a Persian Kitchen (Maideh Mazda) – A beloved collection of Persian home-cooked meals. (641.5955 M47)

Persian Cinema

Iranian cinema is known for its poetic storytelling, social realism, and deep philosophical themes. Some of Iran’s most acclaimed filmmakers have created works illuminating the country’s social and cultural complexities.  Many of these films are available at the Mechanics’ Institute Library or on Kanopy,  an award-winning video streaming service for all Mechanics’ Institute members. 

One of Iran’s best-known directors, Asghar Farhadi is known for his psychological dramas that explore complex human emotions and moral dilemmas. His films often focus on personal conflicts set against larger societal issues.

• A Separation (2011) – Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this gripping drama tells the story of a couple navigating divorce, class struggles, and justice in modern Iran. (DVD Middle East, 2nd floor)

• About Elly (2009) – A suspenseful drama about a woman’s mysterious disappearance during a seaside vacation. (Kanopy)

• Abbas Kiarostami, a pioneer of the Iranian New Wave movement and a master of minimalist and poetic cinema, crafts deeply philosophical films that blur the line between fiction and reality.

• Taste of Cherry (1997) – A meditative film about a man searching for someone to assist with his suicide, sparking profound discussions on life and death. (Kanopy)

• Crimson Gold (2003)- A powerful Iranian drama written by Kiarostami and directed by Jafar Panahi. The film is a stark critique of social inequality in Iran told through the lens of a humble pizza deliveryman. (Kanopy)

• Majid Majidi, an internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker and producer, is known for humanistic and emotionally rich stories that portray childhood and family struggles.

• Children of Heaven (1997) – A touching story of a young boy and his sister who share a single pair of shoes, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. (Kanopy)

• Sun Children (2020)-  A group of working-class boys is recruited to dig for buried treasure beneath a school, but first, they must enroll in classes. A powerful film about child labor and education in Iran. (Kanopy)

• Jafar Panahi, A filmmaker known for his bold social commentaries, has faced censorship and house arrest in Iran yet continues to make films that push boundaries.

• 3 Faces (2018) – A road-trip drama exploring gender and freedom in Iranian society. (Kanopy)

• Jafar Panahi’s Taxi (2015)- A compelling, intimate film that captures Iran's social and political realities through a captivating ride in a Tehran taxi, where the driver, Panahi himself, engages with various passengers, revealing personal and societal struggles. (Kanopy)

• No Bears (2022)- Jafar Panahi’s latest film, examining storytelling, censorship, and freedom. (Kanopy)

• Ana Lily Amirpour is a rising Iranian-American filmmaker who blends horror, western, and arthouse cinema genres.

• A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)-  A feminist vampire Western set in an eerie Iranian ghost town, shot in striking black-and-white. (Kanopy)

We hope you enjoy this curated list of books and films at the Mechanics’ Institute that explore Iran’s rich cultural heritage. 

Beyond the library’s collection, the San Francisco Bay Area is home to a vibrant Iranian-American community, offering many free, public events to celebrate Nowruz. You won't have to look far if you want to immerse yourself in the festivities. In San Francisco, your options include: Eid-deedani, at San Francisco City Hall, with dance and music performances, or Nightscapes: a Nowruz event at the Asian Art Museum, filled with music and dancing (free admission with museum entrance); and a dance performance by Shahrzad Ensemble at San Francisco Public Library (Sunset Branch). Nearby in downtown Berkeley, the Persian Center hosts the Chahrshanbeh Souri festival, where you can jump over bonfires and celebrate the arrival of spring with food, music, and friends. Another festive Charshbeh Souri event is hosted by the Persian Society of Marin at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael. *Check the dates as some events may have passed*

Whether you celebrate Nowruz by immersing yourself in Iran's literature, poetry, cinema, and cuisine or participating in local Nowruz festivities, we at the Mechanics’ Institute wish you all a Happy Persian New Year!