Ray Chavez is a photojournalist for the Bay Area News Group
Event planner Lily Aroosi, native of Iran, is seen in a mirror along with a Rumi book and haft seen or seven ’s’ elements displayed during the Persian New Year celebration at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif.
, on Saturday, March 9, 2024. n Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. The ‘half seen’ or seven ’s’ in Farsi means seven items starting with the letter ’s’ such as apple, garlic, wheat, hyacinth flower, sumac, vinegar and jujube or dried fruit. Other items included in the spread are a mirror and a candle which represents light, gold coins for prosperity, eggs for fertility, a bowl of gold fish for life, a sour orange in a bowl of water symbolizes planet Earth, explains Aroosi. The Persian community celebrated their New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland on Saturday afternoon. The small but crowded event held at a former Oakland fire station on Alice Street, featured arts and crafts, handmade jewelry, food like shirini , torshi , preserves and other tasty traditional treats. An altar set with the “half seen” or seven “s” which in Farsi means seven items starting with the letter “s” such as apple, garlic, wheat, hyacinth flower, sumac, vinegar and jujube or dried fruit. Other items included in the spread are a mirror and a candle which represent light, gold coins for prosperity, eggs for fertility, a bowl of goldfish for life, and a sour orange in a bowl of water symbolizing planet Earth, explains event planner Lily Aroosi, a native of Iran. Also, a poetry book by Persian poet Rumi is a must, she added. Nowruz is celebrated on the spring equinox, March 20, and lasts for 13 days. And on the last day everyone goes out to nature, Aroosi says, adding that the wheatgrass grown in the display is thrown in running water carrying hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Festival-goers attend the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Baklava made by Meena Hussain is one of the food items for sale during the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Jewelry artist Najah Alboushi looks on during the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. A book of Rumi’s poetry complements the “half seen,” or seven “s,” elements display as part of the Persian New Year celebration at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Chef Meena Rezaei sells torshies or pickled vegetables during the Persian New Year celebration at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Festival-goers attend the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Portrait of Iranian singer Googoosh is featured on T-shirts made by artist Jasmine Djavahery during the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Artist Yasmeen Abedifard sells risograph prints during the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Chef Naseem Salim shows off traditional Iranian holiday sweets called “toot” or mulberries during the Persian New Year celebration at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Chef Naseem Salim sells traditional Iranian cake made with black seeds and pistachios and other ingredients and traditional Iranian holiday sweets called “toot,” or mulberries, during the Persian New Year celebration at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Glass pendants for necklaces made by artist Najah Alboushi were displayed during the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Artist Scheherazade Samimi paints eggs for sale during the Persian New Year celebration at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Festival-goers attend the Persian New Year at the second annual Nowruz Market 1403 in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Miss Manners: I don't want them thinking I got pregnant by my dog-walking buddyAsk Amy: The teddy bear ultimatum, and other strategies for decluttering after the kids leaveTwo great Rock and Roll Hall of Famers announce co-headlining tourDear Abby: I made a mistake with a man in a bar, and my husband won’t speak to meHarriette Cole: I'm floundering in the face of my younger siblings' successUnited plane veers off runway in third Boeing incident this week44 things this Chicagoan didn’t know about ‘The Blues Brothers’
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