See more from: Nowruz
Please note: this event is in the past
Join us for a new cultural celebration at Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long festival for Nowruz - also known as Persian New Year - with talks from incredible speakers, a 'Haft-sin' Trail, a bazaar, art exhibitions and more!
Nowruz is a tradition celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide for more than 3,000 years. It holds significance in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. A celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz serves as a vital element of Iranian identity, fostering a sense of pride in one's heritage while forging connections with both history and the community. Iranians exhibit commendable dedication in preserving and perpetuating this cherished tradition, ensuring its continuous vibrancy and significance throughout generations.
Often compared to a Paradise Garden with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian ironwood tree), Waterlow Park has become a key location for families and friends looking to celebrate throughout the period. We are delighted to bring the party to Lauderdale House this year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib. Please see below for a breakdown of everything we have going on:
6 March - 1 April
Nowruz Exhibition
Times vary | FreeThe house is full of Persian Art! Come and see two stunning exhibitions in our Lower and Upper Galleries . . .
Thursday 14 March
Jazz in the House: Karaj Collective
8pm | £15.50Celebrate Nowruz with a special evening of Iranian Jazz in the House! Karaj Collective brings together 3 distinguished Iranian musicians - Guitarist Pouya Mahmoudi, Percussionist Ali Nourbakhsh, & Bassist Saleh Zarei Lal Abadi - who have travelled across musical borders and traditions to create a truly original sound.
Sunday 17 March
Nowruz Bazaar
11am - 5pm | FreeExplore the vibrant world of arts and crafts at the Nowruz Bazaar.
Nowruz Talk - Waxing Lyrical: Presenting Persian Poetry
11.30am | Free
Join us for a morning of beautiful poetry readings and an insightful talk about Persian poetry from multi-award-winning Artist and Scholar Nazli Tabatabai-Khatambakhsh and Poet Afshin Babazadeh.
Nowruz Talk - Nowruz At Home & Abroad
2pm | Free
Speakers Roya Arab and Mehrdad Aref-Adib talk us through the traditions of Nowruz as they appear in London, Iran and other places across the globe.
Nowruz Talk - Party Time! Discovering Persian Food & Music
4pm | Free
Composer & Conductor Farnoosh Behzad and TV chef & food blogger Alireza head to the house with Persian recipes and music for our final Nowruz talk.
20 March - 1 April
Haft-sin Trail
Park opening hours | FreeHead into Waterlow Park and help us collect the ingredients for the Haft-Sin!