Iran Prepares for Nowruz Festival Amid Economic Crisis
Iranians will mark the beginning of the year 1403 precisely at 6:36 a.m. on March 20th, with celebrations commencing at 26 seconds past the hour.
Despite economic challenges in the sanctions-affected nation, millions of Iranians will journey to reunite with their families for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on March 20th, although the festivities may be subdued.
At precisely 26 seconds past 6:36 a.m. (0406 GMT) on March 20th, Iranians will observe the commencement of the year 1403, coinciding with the astronomical timing of the spring equinox.
Worldwide, approximately 300 million individuals will exchange Nowruz mobarak (Happy New Year) greetings, spanning regions such as Iran, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, as well as among Kurds in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and beyond. “It’s the paramount holiday, where we set aside our troubles to reunite with our cherished ones and envision a brighter year ahead,” expressed Marjan, a young woman from Tehran who chose not to disclose her full name.
With a history spanning 3,000 years, Nowruz signifies a two-week hiatus during which Iranians embark on domestic journeys or, for the privileged few, international travels. However, numerous individuals anticipate scaled-down festivities this year.
“At the Tajrish bazaar in northern Tehran, Afshar, a 44-year-old accountant, lamented the exorbitant prices of food products due to inflation,” voiced his concerns.
As reported by local media, the official annual inflation rate currently stands at 44%, following a peak of 46% last year.
“I purchased meat at 7,00,000 toman (approximately $12) per kilo, while my monthly earnings, after a 30-year career, amount to only 9.8 million ($160),” expressed a 68-year-old Tehran resident who preferred not to disclose their identity.
During the previous Nowruz celebration, Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, recognized that Iranians were experiencing “discontent” stemming from “escalating prices, particularly concerning food and essentials.” He subsequently assigned the government with the responsibility of enacting “measures to curb inflation.” Iranian authorities attribute the surge in prices to Western economic sanctions.
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