Persian New Year, also known as Eid Nowruz, is a celebration that welcomes spring and invites people to come together and celebrate the arrival of the new year. It can be traced back 3 000 years to ancient Persia, before Islam. At IDA, Nowruz has been celebrated for more than a decade, except for the pandemic years.
Mina Niknafs, PhD student at the Division of Software and Systems, organised this year's event that was attended by more than 40 guests.
Who is invited?
"This year's party was attended by doctoral students, supervisors, administrative staff, and the head of IDA", says Mina Niknafs.
What does the celebration of Nowruz at IDA mean to you?
"Nowruz is a time to gather with family and friends, engage in rituals and traditions passed down through generations, and reflect on the past year while looking forward to new beginnings. For many Iranians at IDA who are far from their families, it's heartening to celebrate this special time amidst friends within the international community of IDA. It's also an excellent opportunity to celebrate our traditions and spread joy and happiness among our international friends."
Mariam Kamkar, professor emerita and former head of IDA, started the celebration by giving a short talk about Nowruz festivities and explaining the items present on the party table. At Nowruz, a table is set with seven items, each starting with the Persian letter "sin" and symbolising a hope for the new year. Over time different additions to the table have been made.
Mina, what food is your favourite at Nowruz?
"Among the items on the Haft Sin (or 7-Sin) table, my favourite item is Samanu which symbolizes affluence, fertility, and the sweetness of life. Samanu is a sweet pudding made from germinated wheat. Interestingly, its taste resembles "Memma", a traditional Finnish dessert found in many Swedish supermarkets. In addition, Nowruz is celebrated with a variety of traditional dishes such as “Sabzi Polo ba Mahi”, “Reshteh Polo” and “Kuku Sabzi”. My favourite dish, and the most common one, is “Sabzi Polo ba Mahi”, which is herbed rice (sabzi polo) served with fish (mahi)."
Finally, what is it like to be a PhD student at IDA?
"Being a PhD student at IDA can be a rewarding experience on multiple fronts. From an academic and research perspective, IDA offers access to resources and faculty members who are experts in their fields.
The sense of camaraderie among students, faculty, and staff creates a welcoming community where individuals can thrive both academically and personally.
Moreover, the friendly and supportive atmosphere at IDA contributes significantly to the overall experience. The sense of camaraderie among students, faculty, and staff creates a welcoming community where individuals can thrive both academically and personally. This supportive environment encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and personal growth. Based on my positive experience with IDA, I wholeheartedly recommend it to others considering pursuing a PhD", says Mina Niknafs.
More about the Haft Sin (Sevens S's) table
Each of the items symbolises a hope for the new year.
- Sabzeh (wheat, lentil, barley sprouts): rebirth and the renewal of nature.
- Samanu (a sweet pudding): affluence and fertility.
- Senjed (dried fruit of the oleaster tree): love and romance.
- Seer (garlic): medicine and good health.
- Seeb (apple): beauty and health.
- Serkeh (vinegar): age and patience.
- Somaq (sumac berries): the color of sunrise and the victory of light over darkness.
The party table with food and symbolic items.Photo credit: Marie Beckman
