For the fourth time since my time at the Ertegun House began, I was lucky to celebrate the Persian New Year celebrations, also known as Nowruz, with my fellow Ertegun community. This time was particularly especial for me, as my parents were visiting me, and Maria kindly invited them along to the dinner. I was overjoyed that my parents could finally witness first-hand what I so often describe when I talk about the Ertegun annex, our extraordinary Maria, and the fascinating individuals I have the privilege of interacting with at the House.
Nowruz is the premier celebration in Iran, marking the commencement of the Persian New Year on March 21st, coinciding precisely with the spring equinox. It's a period for gathering with loved ones, visiting extended family, revelling in the spring during a de facto 14-day holiday, traveling, and, fundamentally, starting the new year on the most positive note. During these four years away from home, the Nowruz celebrations at Ertegun have always been particularly heart-warming. Though my partner has been by my side since the second year, and this year I was fortunate to have my family with me, the experience of sharing a delicious Iranian meal with friends has always held a special place in my heart.
In these times, as religious and ethnic tensions rise globally, Nowruz has become even more significant to me: it is truly a holiday that transcends these divides. People from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds come together to celebrate Nowruz. It symbolizes that there are still reasons in this world to unite in joy—the spring equinox is a joy for everyone to relish. For this reason, I am thrilled that celebrating Nowruz has become a tradition at Ertegun House, reflecting the spirit of this scholarship and our community.
As in previous years, Maria kindly provided all the materials for the Haft-seen and arranged the table in the most exquisite manner. Haft-seen, one of Nowruz's pillars, involves displaying seven symbolic items starting with "s" in Persian, each representing hopes for a successful and joyful new year. Maria also included a beautiful mirror, ornate decorations (including plastic goldfish – yes, we have real ones in Iran for our Haft-seen!), a poetry book, and an exciting assortment of Iranian sweets. Her efforts were so beautifully executed that I am convinced a Persianate country ought to grant Maria honorary Persian citizenship!
The evening's plan centered around enjoying the Haft-seen and having dinner, with two options for the latter: Shiraz (an Iranian restaurant) and Al-Shami (one of the finest Lebanese restaurants in Oxford). I have to admit that I was quite pleased to see most people opt for Shiraz! The night was made even more special by the presence of two guests: Ertegun alumnae from my cohort, and very good friends, who were in Oxford that day. I shared a table with them, Maria, and my parents—the best combination possible, making the evening even more memorable. I discussed almost all Ertegun scholars and alumni with my parents, and they were particularly delighted to speak Persian with Joshua. The food was, as always, amazing, and many stayed late to chat, sip Persian tea and/or wine, and enjoy the celebration. A true Persian feast! My parents had a fantastic time, and I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to spend the most important celebration in my culture with my parents on one side and the Ertegun community on the other.
Setayesh Dashti
