Norouz: Persian New Year
Celebrate the coming of spring
Saturday
20 and Sunday 21 March
11.00–16.30
Great Court
Free, just drop in
Norouz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the
new year in the Iranian calendar. This year, come to the British
Museum to celebrate Norouz – visit the Ancient Iran Gallery, watch
dancers and listen to musicians, enjoy myths and legends of Persia
and take part in family activities.
Activities include:
- Make a mythical Persian creature, listen to Persian legends and
meet King Darius in his palace
- Transport yourself back to ancient Persia in a digital photo
workshop
- Paint Norouz eggs and make a carpet fit for a king
- Watch the film Daie Jan Napoleon (My Uncle
Napoleon), adapted from the most popular novel in Persian
culture
- AKSbazi: play
Spring, an exchange of Norouz gifts in photographs.
Dance and music performances include:
- Parvaz Ensemble, Persian fusion music
- Jirar band, Persian international pop and folk music
- Sabah Ensemble, Classical and traditional acoustic Persian
music
The full programme of activities will be available at the Museum
on the day.

Family visits
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Image: Gold model chariot from the Oxus
treasure. Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC from the region of
Takht-i Kuwad, Tadjikistan.