In a ceremony with much meaning to Shiite Muslims in Iran, but which has much more ancient origins, a group of traditional people in Shahrud, Semnan Province, perform their ablution a few hours before the start of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. They dip the reed pen into the saffron liquid and write seven verses from the holy Koran on the back of china bowls. They pen those verses, which are prefaced with regards, or good wishes, before the opening salvo of the New Year is fired. These regards represent the deep respect they display for their beliefs. Then they rinse the bowls into the water and bring the hallowed saffron liquid to a traditional table set with seven items whose names begin with the letter “S” in Farsi.
Screening time: Saturday, May 5 at 5:43PM
Length: 15 min
Country: Iran
Language: Persian w/English Subtitles
Director: Mehdi Yarmohamadi
Producer: Mehdi Yarmohamadi
Distributor: Mehdi Yarmohamadi