Nowruz Means Spring is Here (No Matter How Cold!)

The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) celebrated Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, on the evening of Thursday, March 27, 2014, in the School cafeteria. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and beginning of the Persian calendar. It symbolizes nature’s renewal and rebirth after the passing of winter.

Guests enjoyed Iranian cuisine from Roksana’s in Watertown and Persian music and dance from the Aftab Dance Group. Organizers set up a traditional Haft Seen (“the seven ‘S’s”) table, which includes seven items starting with the letter ‘seen’, or ‘s’, in the Iranian alphabet. Each item signifies a different aspect of the new year. These items may include:

· Sib (Apple): symbol of health and natural beauty

· Sabzeh (Sprouts): symbol of fertility of the land in spring and rebirth of nature

· Samanu: sweet pudding symbolizing affluence

· Sir (Garlic): symbol of health

· Sumac: symbol of sunrise

· Senjed (Oleaster): symbol of love and compassion

· Sombol (Hyacinth): Symbol of beauty and fragrance of spring, and the rebirth of nature

· Sekkeh (coin): wealth and prosperity

· Serkeh (vinegar): symbol for maturity, and the wisdom and patience that comes with age

The GSDM Nowruz celebration was sponsored by the Boston University chapter of the American Student Dental Association. The main organizers were students Samaneh Mojarrad, Hamid Fakhri, and Marjan Fakhri; staff Erica Manczuk, Liz Pinone, and Andrew Butler; and faculty Drs. Joseph Calabrese and Larry Dunham.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.