Asian Cultural Center of Vermont (ACCVT) presents Nowrooz, A Persian New Year Celebration, Saturday, March 21 at 4:30 PM featuring traditional classical Persian music as well as original compositions presented by Eshagh Shaoul, violin with Jon Liechty on piano and Jack Shaoul on drum. The celebration is also a sharing of Persian, Bahá’í, and Sufi poetry. Following the music and poetry there will be a potluck (bring a dish to share). There will also be a hands-on henna decoration activity. The music and poetry will begin promptly at 4:30pm. Plan to arrive 10 to 20 minutes in advance to find parking along Western Avenue and walk up the driveway (about 100 yards) to Mahalo Art Center.
Nowrooz (Persian for “New Day” and originally “new light”) is celebrated in many parts of Asia and by Asians worldwide coinciding with the Spring Equinox. Nowrooz has been observed for thousands of years by the ancient cultures of Persia (present-day Iran), and is today celebrated by peoples and faiths in (but not limited to) Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan,Uzbekistan, as well as by the Uighurs in northwestern China and the worldwide Kurd, Bahá’í, Sufi, and Zoroastrian communities (including the Parsis in India).
This multicultural new year’s festival has a number of spelling variants depending on the language and culture including: Nawruz, Nauryz, Navroz, and Navroj. When one celebrates Nowrooz one sets up and enjoys the Haft Sīn Table, a traditional Persian display that includes seven items starting with the letter ‘S’ or Sīn (س) in the Persian alphabet that symbolize peace, prosperity and growth. Thanks to Marie Procter for setting up this special and essential part of Nowrooz. This is a free event: with donations appreciated to defray event expenses. For further information visit http://accvt.org/.
Venue: Mahalo Art Center, 972 Western Avenue, Brattleboro, VT (GPS and google maps’ directions are off near the Mahalo driveway. See directions below, instead.)
Directions: From I 91, Exit 2 ramp, left onto Western Avenue. Drive west for 1.2 miles just past Bonnyvale Road to a driveway on the left . There will be a ‘Nowrooz’ sign at the driveway entrance on Western Avenue. Park on Western Avenue and walk up the driveway to the top.
Contact (802) 257-7898 ext. 1 or text to (802) 579-9088 to arrange for accessible parking for Mahalo Art Center at the top of the driveway.
RSVP by Friday 3/20 (Limited Space): adamsilvervt@gmail.com or text to: (802) 579-9088.
Eshagh Shaoul playing traditional classical Persian music and original compositions:
Location of Mahalo Art Center and the driveway off Western Avenue:
contact information for event
To RSVP for the Nowrooz event, call (802) 257-7898 ext. 1 (voicemail) or email to: adamsilvervt@gmail.com before midnight Friday (today).