Posted on March 16, 2022
(Last Wednesday of the Persian Year)
Today is a holiday in Iran (which used to be Persia). To celebrate Chahārshanbe Suri, people build and then jump over fires.
!!!
The fires are built in the streets or alleys so that they are not too likely to spread to houses or vegetation. But…um…jumping over them…could be unsafe?
This holiday is symbolic of burning out your fears so that you enter the New Year fresh and without baggage.
Two more customs: Some people sing traditional songs while fire-jumping or watching fire jumpers. And some kids dress themselves in cloaks and go from house to house beating on pots and pans with wooden spoons. The louder the children beat on their cookware, the more the bad luck of the last Wednesday of the year is driven away.
As always, holidays evolve, and some people do derring deeds with fireworks instead of small bonfires.
Also on this date:
Poet Cesar Vallejo’s birthday
Black Press Day
Panda Day
Lips Appreciation Day
No Selfies Day
Anniversary of the greatest rainfall in 24 hours!
Purim
Plan ahead:
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March holidays
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March birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in March
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April holidays
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April birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in April