Sweden rings in Iranian new year

[Aptrgangr]

Sweden rings in Iranian new year

At 1.30am on Wednesday, around 140,000 people in Sweden will begin celebrating Norouz, the Iranian new year.

The initial celebrations set the tone for two weeks of festivities, characterized by the exchange of gifts, an abundance of food and visits to family and friends. Norouz traditionally marks the beginning of spring.

For the third year in a row, the ancient Zoroastrian holiday will be celebrated at Globen Arena in Stockholm. Around 8,000 people are expected to gather in the venue to dance and listen to music.

One of the artists due to play at Globen is Arash, who came to Sweden as a ten-year-old in the 1980s. Having made his breakthrough both in Sweden and internationally, Norouz is a very hectic time for the singer.

"I was in London a few days ago and I'm also going to be playing in Dubai and Copenhagen. It's great to be able to celebrate the new year with my compatriots around the world," Arash told news agency TT.

Norouz is the most prominent public holiday in Iran, Syria and in Kurdish regions.

"It is something that is very big for us. It is a bit reminiscent of Christmas. We also have a Christmas buffet, even if it looks different, and we put on our best clothes and exchange presents.

"The main difference between celebrating here and in Iran is that then we celebrated with all our relatives. Here it tends to be a bit more lonely," said Arash.

Iranian new year celebrations have become so widespread in Sweden that shop-owners have noticed an increase in their takings. The Swedish Trade Federation (Svensk Handel) estimates that turnover will increase by 120 to 150 million kronor ($17-21 million) as a direct result of Norouz.

"It's really all types of products. People buy a lot of groceries of course. But it is also a holiday for which people dress nicely, so a lot of dress clothes and shoes are bought. Even children are dressed in their finest clothes.

"People also decorate their homes, so there could be a few new living room sofas too," said Meta Troell from the Swedish Trade Federation.

The Local - Sweden rings in Iranian new year

Aryans Unite

[Erasmus]

The famous Nordo-Iranian connection

Happy New Year, Oslonor!*

*Oslonor: famous Nordo-Iranoid ethnologist, the best Galaico's friend

[Arthur Gordon Pym]

I think most of those who celebrate Nouruz in Europe are in fact Kurds (from Syria, Iran, Turkey and Iraq). I find it an interesting festivity, going back to ancient times.

However, they should celebrate it in their own countries, not in Europe.

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Aptrgangr

Aryans Unite

.. and Babylonians!

By the way, I thought that the German article where the Swedish journalist says that Iraq should join the EU was more recent. The one in the link dates back to 2003.

[Arthur Gordon Pym]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

.. and Babylonians!

By the way, I thought that the German article where the Swedish journalist says that Iraq should join the EU was more recent. The one in the link dates back to 2003.

Why not Iraq? There are already plans for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lybia, Syria and Israel to join EU. If they are entitled to join, then why not Iraq?

[Menydh]

Sure. It is not a matter of who is going to be next, but a matter of how to get out of it.

[Dux]

Originally Posted by prometheus

Why not Iraq? There are already plans for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lybia, Syria and Israel to join EU. If they are entitled to join, then why not Iraq?

Oh, don't worry, Those don't need to join the dummy showroom... They already have full membership. It would be like asking a puppeteer to join in a marionette show

Edit: Interesting... in the highlights of the same online paper you can find an article written by some eastern guy about a swedish intriguing issue - Rami Abdelrahman went to look at the world of Swedish swinger clubs for himself. This is very odd...