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Persian New Year Festival & Fire Jumping | Berkeley

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE
Persian Center | 2029 Durant Avenue, Berkeley

Jump over a bonfire for “Chahr-Shanbeh Souri” on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at Persian Center, 2029 Durant Avenue in Berkeley from 6-10pm to shake off the darkness of winter and welcome the lightness of spring. This is a free, family-friendly, non-alcoholic event held outdoors on Durant Avenue.

Inside the Persian Center, a traditional altar holds green grass, live goldfish, food and other items representative of spring called the “haftseen” or seven ‘s’s as each item on the table begins with the letter ‘s’.

Persian music, dance, food and craft vendors, cultural organizations, and children’s activities add to the experience. Vendors and other sponsors are welcome.

A Persian ritual passed down since ancient Zoroastrian times, the Persian New Year Festival, called Chahar-Shanbeh Souri, literally means ‘Eve of Wednesday” because the festival is always held on the last Tuesday of winter, just before the Vernal Equinox or first moment of spring.