Navruz – spring in the night

The time of dawn. The time of change. The moment when the sun hesitates on the threshold between winter and spring, ready to take a step forward – toward light, life, and hope. Navruz is a celebration that exists beyond time. It has no borders or nations, no languages or politics. It arrives to renew not only nature but also the hearts of people, reminding them that everything in this world is cyclical, and after the cold always comes warmth.

The history of this festival goes back thousands of years – to a time when humanity was deeply connected to nature and lived by its rhythms. Born more than three thousand years ago in Khorasan, Navruz embodies the philosophy of Zoroastrianism, where the spring equinox symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. It marked the beginning of the new agricultural cycle and was filled with mysticism and sacred rituals.

Later, during the Achaemenid Empire (6th–4th centuries BCE), Navruz gained official recognition. Over time, it spread across the region, becoming an integral part of the traditions of Persia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and even the Balkans.

Navruz is more than just a holiday – it is an entire philosophy, where every element carries deep symbolism, and each country adds its unique touch to this ancient celebration. 

Iran

Iran is where the heart of Navruz has been beating for over three thousand years. Here, people prepare haft-sin – a special table adorned with seven symbolic items, each beginning with the Persian letter “sin”. These seven symbols represent seven ancient mysteries: apples – health, sprouted wheat – life, garlic – protection, vinegar – wisdom, barberries – the sun, coins – prosperity, and sweets – joy. On the eve of Navruz, the streets light up with Chaharshanbe Suri, the night of fire. Flames dance in the streets while the poetry of Hafiz and Rumi fills the air because, for Iranians, Navruz is a time of wisdom, renewal, and a return to one’s roots. 

Tajikistan

In Tajikistan, Navruz is the taste of sumalak, a thick, rich paste made from sprouted wheat. It is cooked overnight and stirred continuously until the first rays of the spring sun touch the horizon. The slow process carries the magic of the earth itself, passed down through generations. Navruz here is also the time of gushtingiri, the traditional wrestling matches, where strength and honor define the best. Flames burn beneath the giant cauldron, women sing ancient songs as they stir the sumalak, and each movement is a reminder of the eternal cycle of life. 

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Navruz is loud, vibrant, and full of energy. The vast steppes come alive with horse races, as the finest jigits (skilled riders) compete in kok-boru, an intense traditional game requiring agility and strength. Every home prepares nauryz kozhe, a sacred dish made from seven ingredients, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. It is said that whoever tastes it will be blessed with happiness and health for the entire year. In the morning, people step out into the streets, greeting one another with "Nauryz kutty bolsyn!" – wishing happiness and good fortune for the year ahead.

Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, the preparations for Navruz begin weeks in advance. Each of the four weeks before the festival represents one of the four elements: water, fire, earth, and air. Families bake shekerbura, baklava, and gogal, traditional sweets that no Navruz table can be without.

On the final night, bonfires light up the darkness. People jump over the flames, believing that fire cleanses the soul, casting off the burdens of the past. The next morning, doors open wide for guests because on Navruz, every home should be filled with light, laughter, and voices. 

Afghanistan

Here, Navruz is affectionately called "Gul-i-Surkh"—"The Red Rose". This is the season when mountain slopes burst into bloom with crimson poppies. It is a time of poetry and song, when the verses of Hafiz echo beneath the blue sky, and the streets of Balkh and Kabul fill with crowds gathering to witness the ceremonial raising of the holy flag, a symbol of spring, peace, and freedom. 

Turkiye and the Balkans

In Turkiye, Navruz is a symbolic rebirth. On this day, people burn old objects, everything that carries the weight of the past year must disappear in the flames. Huge bonfires blaze in the streets, becoming the heart of the celebration. People jump over the fire, believing that its warmth heals, purifies, and brings new energy. In a tradition rooted in the legend of Ergenekon, blacksmiths forge iron as a symbol of strength and the dawn of a new era.

In the Balkans, Navruz is deeply intertwined with the mystical rituals of the Bektashi order, where the festival represents both physical and spiritual renewal. 

India and Pakistan

For the Parsis, descendants of ancient Zoroastrians, Navruz is a celebration of light. Their homes are filled with candles, incense, and the scent of spices. Their festive meal is saffron-infused rice with dried fruits, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. The most important tradition lies in entering the new year with a pure heart and good intentions. A sacred ritual on this day is the reading of the "Avesta", the holy Zoroastrian scripture, which serves as a reminder that light will always triumph over darkness.

 That one moment, that perfect instant

Navruz is more than a tradition – it is a philosophy, a lesson in patience and renewal. It reminds us that life moves in cycles. If today feels heavy, if winter seems endless, remember that spring is inevitable. This celebration teaches us that warmth follows cold, the light follows darkness, and renewal follows hardship.

It is impossible to pinpoint the exact moment when people first lit the Navruz fire. Perhaps there were no cities yet, and the winds of Khorasan carried the seeds of the earliest civilizations. But one thing is certain: thousands of years later, this fire still burns. It flickers in the eyes of children running past the flames, in the voices of poets praising the return of spring, and in the hands of mothers offering the first spoonful of sumalak.

Somewhere in the mountains of Central Asia, in small Iranian villages, on the streets of Istanbul, in the alleys of Baku, on the squares of Kabul, and throughout the ancient bazaars of Samarkand, the Navruz fire blazes on.

This fire is older than us. It burned thousands of years ago and will burn long after we are gone. Because time has no power over what is eternal. Because light will always overcome darkness. Because spring will always return. And this, perhaps, is the greatest meaning of Navruz.

Navruz Mubarak! 

Photo: Serafim Dim