Norouz, Persian New Year Celebration
Norouz, Persian New Year Celebration
Date: 13 March 2010Time: 7:30 PM
Finishes: 14 March 2010Time: 10:30 PM
Venue: Brunei GalleryRoom: Brune Gallery Lecture Theatre and Suite
Type of Event: Celebration
Programme
Menu
SOAS University of London, MTO Sufi Society and MTO College have the pleasure of your presence at this years’ Norouz Celebration.
The evening programme will include poetic, musical and dance celebrations of this Spring Festival, as well as displays of Iranian arts and crafts, book stalls and traditional festive Norouz dinner.
LIVE WEBCAST: the performance on Saturday will be webcast live from 7pm-10pm - MTO
Tickets
Standard £35; Students £15 (Valid Student ID must be shown)
Please note that the price includes entry to one evening only.
The event is SOLD OUT. No tickets are available for either the Saturday or Sunday evening.
No refunds can be issued.
Contact Tel: 020 7898 4892/3 or events@soas.ac.uk
Address
Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
Programme*
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
Norouz speech
| In the Persian language, Norouz means ‘new day’. It is the Persian new year, as it indicates it is the end of one year and the beginning of another. Many different countries celebrate Norouz, all of which were once part of the Persian Empire. The time and date is based upon the lunar calendar and occurs at the Vernal equinox. |
| Introduction to the Evening | This evening’s programme will begin an introduction to the traditions and significance of the Norouz Persian New Year followed by the Anthem, please feel free to join in singing the Anthem. |
| Anthem | |
| Welcome Speech | Paul Webley (Director and Principal of SOAS) Sorour Dundon (SOAS Teaching Fellow, Principal of MTO College) |
Kurdish Dance
| Is a dance from the Kurds that generally inhabit the North western areas of Iran. The Kurds are renowned for their patriotic demeanour and community spirit. Kurdish music and dance plays an important role in their culture. The dance consists of pounding feet movements in unison while connected in a chain formation, a dance which truly requires concentration, rhythm and harmony. |
| Speech by the Dean | |
| Music Piece | In this music piece MTO Music group work in collaboration with the SOAS Middle Eastern Music. The SOAS Middle Eastern music ensemble came into being in 2007 as a platform for the study and research of traditional Middle Eastern music. SOAS MEME is a student-led group based at the School of Oriental and African studies. The group studies, arranges and performs music from the major musical traditions of the Middle East, including the Arabic speaking world, Turkey and Iran. SOAS MEME plays both classical and folk music on traditional instruments. There are two music pieces which the SOAS MEME and the MTO Music group have collaborated on; we hope you enjoy the fruits of their labour. |
| Azari Dance | This dance originates in Azarbaijan in the Northwest of Iran. It is an elegant display of fine hand movements by the ladies and an energetic showcase by the males. A truly distinct dance. |
| Tehrooni Dance | The Tehrooni dance is from North central Iran. It is a delicate dance with sweeping arm movements and intricate body control. The dance is one of the most artistically influenced dances of Iran and is made even more beautiful by the delicately sown costumes which distinguish this dance as charming. |
| Interval | |
| MTO Music group with MTO choir | |
| Daf Piece | The Daf is one of the most ancient frame drums in Asia and other parts of the world. In the past this framed drum had accompanied the celebration of Norouz at the time of equinox in the Sassanian dynasty, at that time the Daf was used in royal courts in the form of group performances. The Daf is used in Sufi music, it consists of a hard wood rim, covered with a goat’s skin on one side, it has metallic rings along the inner rim to create a rattle effect. The Daf is a percussion instrument with a soft, deep tone. The instrument is predominantly used in the Sufi Zekr (Remembrance) and other Sufi music; it is often quoted in Sufi poetry, representing the joy of love for the beloved. |
| Speech | Introduction to MTO Sufi Society |
| Music Piece | |
| Speech | Introduction to MTO College |
| Shomali Dance | The Shomali dance originates in Rasht which is situated at the northern border of Iran, along the coast of the Caspian Sea. This area is well known for their rice plantations. The dance comes from the working women going about their daily chores in the rice fields. The costumes in this dance are almost exactly the same as those worn by the rice workers. The bright colours and stimulating movements make this dance a joy to watch. |
| Fal-E Hafez | Poetry Readings from two first year SOAS students |
| Bandari | The Bandari dance originates in the South of Iran; Bandar Abbas lying close to the port of Iran, the dance signifies the happiness of the local people, it consists of rapid movements of the upper body and hands to exhilarating music, this is by far the most exciting and vibrant dance of them all. |
| Dinner |
*slight changes may be made to the programme
Menu*
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Saturday, 13 March 2010 | |
| Light/Side Dishes | Naan-o-Paneer-o-Sabzi: Iranian thin bread, feta cheese, walnuts and herbs Kashk-e Baadenjaan: made with eggplants, kashk (thick whey), mint, and onions Torshi Liteh : pickled eggplants with herbs Salad |
| Main Dishes | Sabzi Polow va Mahi: made with rice, and herbs with fish KooKoo Sabzi: made with various herbs, eggs, and flour |
| Desserts/Pastry | Baagh Lava: with almonds, sugar, cardamom, egg yolks, milk, flour, and rose-water Sohaan-e Asali: with almonds, sugar, honey, saffron and pistachios Ghotaab: made with eggs, yogurt, flour, almonds, sugar and cardamom powder Shirni Badami |
Drinks | Persian Tea Fruits Soft drinks |
| Sunday, 14 March 2010 | |
| Light/Side Dishes | Naan-o-Paneer-o-Sabzi: Iranian thin bread, feta cheese, and herbs Maast-o-Khiar: made with yogurt, cucumber, mint, salt, and pepper Mirza Ghasemi: made with fried eggplants, eggs, tomatoes, and garlic Salad |
| Main Dishes | Kabab Koobideh: barbecued ground lamb or beef Joojeh Kabab: barbecued chicken with olive oil, tomatoes and saffron Fesenjoon: made of chicken, onion, walnuts and pomegranate juice |
| Desserts/Pastry | Baagh Lava: with almonds, sugar, cardamom, egg yolks, milk, flour, and rose-water Sohaan-e Asali: with almonds, sugar, honey, saffron and pistachios Ghotaab: made with eggs, yogurt, flour, almonds, sugar and cardamom powder Shirni Badami |
| Drinks | Persian Tea Fruits Soft drinks |
Food is halal on both evenings.
Sponsor: MTO (The School of Islamic Sufism)
