Iranians mark Sizdah Bedar nature festival

Iranians mark Sizdah Bedar, also known as Nature’s Day, having picnics outdoors.

Sizdah Bedar, which means 13 outdoors in Persian, is the last day of the Persian New Year (Nowruz) holidays.

The first day of the solar month of Farvardin, which falls on March 21 this year, marks the beginning of the Persian calendar year.

This year, Sizdah Bedar, the 13th day of Farvardin, falls on Saturday.

Besides having picnics, people throw Sabzeh, freshly grown greens that they used to decorate their Haft-Seen tables, into flowing water on that day.

Setting the Haft Seen, a table with seven symbolic items starting with the /s/ sound, including Sabzeh (freshly grown greens), Samanu (a sweet pudding made from germinated wheat), Senjed (a dried fruit), Seeb (apple), Seer (garlic), Somaq (sumac), and Serkeh (vinegar), is one of the traditions of Nowruz.

SQ/FM