with Tea and Enchanting Beauty at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

On the eve of Nowruz - the oldest New Year's celebration on earth, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sofia, in collaboration with the magazine "Diplomatic Spectrum", marked the celebration by presenting an exhibition of magnificent works of traditional crafts of Iran and the photo exhibition "Sketches from Contemporary Iran", containing moments from the life in modern Iran captured by the lenses of Bulgarian journalists.

Nowruz means "New Day". It is a celebration of a new beginning, celebrated by Eastern people every year on the day of the vernal equinox. It is celebrated in different ways, but there are also common elements - the fire and the table, as well as the fact that it is a holiday for family and friends. In 2009, Nowruz was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, and in 2010 the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz. You can read more about the Nowruz celebration in Iranian civilization HERE.

A limited number of guests (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) enjoyed the enchanting beauty and the atmosphere similar to a Persian fairy tale created for Nowruz in the completely renovated halls and corners of the embassy on March 18^th. The celebration was held in two-time intervals and in strict compliance with all anti-epidemic measures in accordance with the health regulations of the Republic of Bulgaria. The first group was the one of representatives of the Association of Mayors in the Republic of Bulgaria, the second - of journalists and cultural figures.

The guests were welcomed by Mr. Hashem Nasiri, Deputy Head of Mission, and Ms. Ekaterina Pavlova, Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Spectrum. Traditional Iranian music provided the background while the guests looked at the exhibition. Mr. Nasser Hekmatnejadh, cultural attaché, as well as the embassy staff told the guests about the hand-woven carpets, the enamelled pots and dishes - Minakari, the toreutic pots - Kalamzani, and the silverware - Nogrekari, as well as the miniatures, the calligraphy pieces, the woodcut and the cashmere embroidery. Ms. Ekaterina Pavlova, as a member of the group of Bulgarian journalists who visited Iran in 2017, shared her impressions of the country against the background of the exhibited photos - "Sketches of Contemporary Iran".

The atmosphere at the meetings of H.E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Javad Rasouli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Bulgaria, with both groups of guests was emotional. He greeted them with "Welcome to your home!" and told them about Nowruz, one of the most ancient and significant holidays in the history of Iranian civilization.

In front of the mayors H. E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Javad Rasouli stressed that they are "the ones that are closest to the people of Bulgaria" and suggested discussing possibilities for twinning between settlements in Iran and in Bulgaria in future meetings, as ... we are bonded by many similarities.

The ambassador received a shepherd's crook and a hand-woven bag with organic products as a gift from the Association of Mayors in the Republic of Bulgaria. Some of the guests were dressed in national costumes from different regions of Bulgaria as to show respect for the traditions and customs of the two countries. The President of the Association - Mr. Rumen Stoyanov, Mayor of Kalofer, presented the ambassador with portraits of Botev and Levski. On his behalf, His Excellency presented them with a unique hand-painted plate.

In front of the journalists and the representatives of the capital's cultural community, H. E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Javad Rasouli said that in Bulgaria he feels at home, that we have many things in common, including over 2000 words common in Persian and in Bulgarian. And that as representatives of professions responsible for honestly and objectively reflecting what they see, they must tell the truth about a country with a 12 000-year history.

Both groups of guests watched with interest the two short films prepared by the hosts showing the Nowruz decoration of Iranian cities and presenting folk music and songs dedicated to the holiday.

Both groups had some saffron tea with oriental sweets, as well as the traditional Iranian soup for Nowruz.

The conversations about Iranian culture and its similarities with ours, which continued around the table, were interesting for both sides. Hoping that the conversations will continue in future, each guest left with an unforgettable memory of the experience and gifts - a wonderful book presenting 100 sites of cultural and historical heritage of Iran, a souvenir and the famous saffron rice pudding Choleh Zard.

Photos: 1, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17 - Gulnara Alimkhanova; 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20 and 24 - Iranian embassy; 3, 5, 10, 18, 21, 22 and 23 - "Diplomatic spectrum"

Above: H. E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Javad Rasouli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Bulgaria received a gift from the mayors - a crook and a handmade bag of organic products. Stoyan Trifonov, mayor of the Rhodopean village of Zmeyovo, gave the presents dressed in folk costume. Next to him on the right are Mr. Hashem Nasiri, Deputy Head of Mission, and Ms. Ekaterina Pavlova, Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Spectrum; left - Mr. Veli Veliev, Chief of Staff of the Ambassador

First line: The atmosphere of Nowruz, reigning in the halls of the embassy

Second line: H. E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Javad Rasouli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Bulgaria with the representatives of the Association of Mayors in the Republic of Bulgaria, and Ms. Snezhana Todorova, chairwoman of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists; The ambassador also received a gift of a Christmas tree - a symbol of our New Year from Mr. Yordan Raichev - Mayor of the village of Izbeglii, municipality of Asenovgrad; Mr. Rumen Stoyanov, as Chairman of the National Association of Mayors of Town Halls in the Republic of Bulgaria, received from the Ambassador a unique plate - a work of the craft "Kalamzani"; Mrs. Ekaterina Pavlova, Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Spectrum, thanked H. E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Javad Rasuli and Ms. Siika Surkova, Mayor of the village of Momchilovtsi and spokesperson of the National Association of Mayors in the Republic of Bulgaria, for the hospitality and for the assistance in the meeting.

Third line: H. E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Javad Rasouli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Bulgaria, with journalists and cultural figures from the capital; H. E.  Mr. Hashem Nasiri, Deputy Head of Mission, watched the Nowruz films with the guests. Then everyone received a gift set from EO Dent dental clinics, represented in the evening by Dr. Magdalena Hristova.

Fourth and fifth lines: exhibits from the exhibition of works of traditional crafts of Iran

Sixth line: photos from the exhibition "Sketches from Contemporary Iran"