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Please note: this event is in the past
Join us for our Nowruz Festival, returning for the second year to Lauderdale House! We are hosting a month-long celebration 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.
The Nowruz festivities culminate after 13 days on Sizdeh Bedar, also known as Nature's Day, during which people spend time picnicking outdoors to keep bad luck at bay.
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 but particularly on Sizdeh Bedar. The inspiration for the House’s Nowruz Festival, we are delighted the Park is such a safe and special place for family celebrations of all kind. To help us look after the Park or to learn more about barbecues and gatherings in the park, please read the BBQ guidelines.
We are delighted to bring the party back to Lauderdale House for the second year under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib. Many thanks to the British Institute of Persian Studies for their Outreach Project Grant given in support of our Nowruz Festival.
Please find our 2025 events below:
5 March - 31 March
Between Worlds Exhibition
Lower Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeExperience a captivating showcase of visual storytelling as four UK-based Iranian illustrators bring their unique artistic perspectives to Lower Gallery.
Written Wonders Exhibition
Upper Gallery
Check gallery hours | FreeCome and enjoy the beauty of Persian calligraphy as three UK-based Iranian artists bring their visions to Upper Gallery.
8 March - 6 April
Haft-sin Trail
Waterlow Park
Park opening hours | FreeHead into Waterlow Park and help us collect the ingredients for the Haft-Sin!
11 March - 3 April
Nowruz by the Women of Yaran Exhibition
Courtyard
Check gallery hours | FreeWe are delighted to exhibit paintings and artificial flowers crafted by Yaran Women's Club members in celebration of Persian New Year.
21 March - 6 April
Persian Paradise Garden
Brick Arch in Waterlow Park
Check park hours | FreeSituated in the far corner of the Tea Lawn, we have installed an artwork created by Mehrdad Aref-Adib, Artist & Curator of Lauderdale House’s Nowruz Festival, inspired by a 17th-century Persian artwork now found in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Friday 28 March
Myths of Shahnam: Storytelling with Zahra Afsah
First Floor
8pm | £12Join us as storyteller Zahra Afsah, with the help of Reza Eslami on percussion and Kaveh Khamooshi on tanbur, brings the myths of Shahnama to life in an evening of storytelling and poetry.
Monday 31 March
An Evening with Rumi
First Floor
7.30pm | £15.50String of Pearls Ensemble invite you to a magical evening of poetry, stories and song woven together from the teachings of the 13th century poet Rumi.
Past Events
Wednesday 12 March
Nowruz Private View & Festival Launch
7.30-9.30pm | FreeWe are delighted to welcome you to the private view of three unique exhibitions and the launch of our Nowruz Festival on Wednesday 12 March from 7.30 to 9.30pm.
Thursday 13 March
Jazz in the House: Kourosh Kanani & Matt Davies
Lower Gallery
8pm | £15.50Kourosh Kanani and Matt Davies bring ancient traditions to the modern soundscape in this special Jazz in the House concert for our Nowruz Festival.
Saturday 15 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am - 5pm | FreeExplore vibrant arts and crafts, delicious pastries, and more at the first day of our Nowruz Bazaar.
Nowruz Talk: New Day: Nowruz in Afghanistan
First Floor
11.30am | Free - please bookJoin us as we look at Nowruz in Afghanistan.
Nowruz Talk: Manuscripts, miniatures and Marketing Through Art
First Floor
2pm | Free - please bookExplore the worlds of Persian art and advertising in this free talk.
Nowruz Talk: A Tale of Two Journeys
First Floor
4pm | Free - please bookJoin us for a talk on two journey: Lois Pryce's recent journey across Iran and, more than 200 years before, Mirza Saleh Shirazi's journey from Iran to England.
Sunday 16 March
Nowruz Bazaar
Ground Floor
11am - 5pm | FreeDay two of our Nowruz Bazaar will feature just as many goodies, beautiful works, books and more.
Nowruz Family Day
First Floor
11am - 3pm | Free
Bring the whole family to our Long Gallery for free crafts inspired by Nowruz and Persian culture!