Silk Road Dance Company - click here for high resolution image

The fourth annual Norouz (Persian New Year) event will be held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Sunday March 8th.  This is a one day event with many fun activities for children of all ages, and a must see performance by Silk Dance group, followed by a fabulous children's dance (last two shows only). For further information, please check the Museum website at www.philamuseum.org,  under special event for family programs on March 8th.

Sofreh Haft Sîn - click here for high resolution image

Celebrate Norooz, a festival of new life observed by Persians, Tajiks, Afghans, Uzbeks, Kurds, and Azerbaijanis. Let the Silk Road Dance Company dazzle you with its costumes, stories, and music. Witness the Sofreh Haft Sîn, the ceremonial table of the New Year, and a Parsee Navroz presentation. Watch a demonstration by celebrated painter Nasser Ovissi. Finish the day by creating Norooz-inspired crafts in the Make-and-Take Workshop and drawing in the Museum's galleries of Middle Eastern art.

The celebration of "Nowruz," or "new day," dates back to 3,000 B.C.E., and marks the first day of spring or the vernal equinox—March 20. It is rooted in Zoroastrianism, the religion of pre-Islamic Iran, and the celebration is also observed by communities in Afghanistan, Bahrain, parts of Lebanon and Syria, Kurdish communities in Iraq and Turkey and many countries in Central Asia.

Contact Information:

For more information about the Norooz Family Event or other Family Programs, you may contact the Education Department at 215-684-7605 or go to www.philamuseum.org.

Related Site: Persian New Year information