Note Chaharshanbe Suri and Sizdah Bedar: the fire and the picnic Two customs frame the Persian new year: a night of bonfires before it, and a day outdoors on the thirteenth day after. 14 November 2026
Feature Nowruz: the oldest new year A spring festival that begins at the equinox and is kept from Iran to Central Asia. Its customs are well documented; its origins are not. 14 November 2026
Feature Taarof: the art of Persian politeness A host offers, a guest refuses, the host insists. Taarof is a system of ritual courtesy that confuses visitors and makes sense once you see how it works. 14 November 2026
Feature Yalda: the longest night On the night of the winter solstice Iranian families stay up together, eat red fruit and read poetry. The custom is simple, and its history is more complicated than it looks. 14 November 2026