Saturday, March 21, 2009

Eid Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak, Happy New Year!
On the first day of spring, Iranians around the world celebrate the Norouz festival, their new year. Last year, my Norouz post focused on my experience in Iran, where I lived as a baby, in the late 1970's; this country has remained very dear to my heart ever since.
This year however I'd like to focus on the future. As President Obama just reached out to Iran via a video message, I am elated to think today may be the dawn of a new era...

More on Iran...
Listen to a hilarious interview of the American-Iranian comedian Maz Jobrani, on NPR...
Watch Majid Majidi's new film, The Song of Sparrows, a lyrical comedy focusing on a lively and moving family, that I just loved (to be released in New York April 3, in Los Angeles April 10)(trailer here)...
Read Reza Aslan's How To Win A Cosmic War, out April 21 - I'll talk about it on this blog again soon...

26 comments:

Clare said...

If you check out my blog a few posts down you will see that I blogged about finding all about the iranian new year. It's an awesome celebration and I loved learning all about it. Great post by you. Thanks

Anonymous said...

This is the Goldfish one, right?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Laura in Paris said...

Eid Mubarak! While in London three weeks ago I visited an exhibition on Shah Abbas at the British Museum. It was a beautiful moment. Oh how I wish I could go back to Iran.

Anonymous said...

Obama! Our hope

Anonymous said...

uuu...the new year and last night it snowed! ;))
oh do you know hafiz?? (everyone knows rumi...)
here..is something, perhaps fun...
http://www.hafizonlove.com/fal.htm

nancyxx

Kwana said...

It's nice to focus on a happy future. Thanks for the links.

Solange said...

Ah, I know so little about Iran, thank you for always bringing up new inspiration.
wish you a great week Mary-Laure!

sølvi said...

I read about that movie a while ago, I need to see that:-)

Mary-Laure said...

CLARE - I'll definitely check it out, thanks!

GEYSER - yes, that's the one!

WORLD... - I would have loved to see the exhibition. There are always the best shows in London.

TRAVELER'S SOUL - yes, Obama is giving everyone around the world great hope for peace.

NANCY - thanks for the tip, I'll check it out - I don't know Hafiz.

limonana said...

happy Naw Ruz!!! so lovely to see this beautiful post!! here's to spring, a new year & hopefully one day being able to return to beautiful Iran once things settle & all humans are treated equally there with respect & love! no matter what their religion, race or gender! :o)

Mary-Laure said...

LIMONANA - that's a dear wish for me too, believe me! Visiting Iran is one of my dreams. One day, I hope...

RoyalTLady said...

Eid mubarak (Arabic: عيد مبارك‎) is a traditional Muslim greeting reserved for use on the festivals of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr.

The phrase translates into English as "blessed festival", and can be paraphrased as "may you enjoy a blessed festival".

Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak after performing the Eid prayer. This celebration continues until the end of the day, and continues a further three days.

It is notable that saying these exact words is a cultural tradition influenced by deep roots of religion in it; however, it is not part of any religious obligations. Speakers of Arabic might also add "kul 'am wantum bikhair."

Eid refers to the occasion itself, and Mubarak is 'may it become good for you'.

Throughout the Muslim world there are numerous other ways of greeting for Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr.

sorry I took up so much of your space Marie-Laura

Kate Moore said...

I am dizzy with delight to have found your blog. Ta for posting on mine. I can't wait for a wee moment to spend some time visiting here.

Joyce said...

Thanks for the info. I learned something new already this morning.
Have a golden day!
xoxo

Certain Creatures said...

maybe it will be a new era .. :)
I want to see if I can find that movie to watch!

Esti said...

me encanta ese punto de vista tuyo, tan abierto a otras culturas, tan optimista... :)

IKS said...

look on the bright side of life :) hope is something that we will always have :) i didnt know this and an i studied religious sciences. but now i know :)

Piper said...

Una amiga ha estado 1 mes en Iran, invitada por unos amigos que antes habian vivido en Ibiza muchos años.

Ha quedado absolutamente FASCINADA con el país.

saludos!

Hadley Makes said...

I have always wanted to go to Iran. Someday. I am afraid to check out your suggestions, as they might fill me with an unbearable longing.

Femin Susan said...

Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoyed reading this post. Keep writing..

Anonymous said...

That is very interesting about the Iranian New Year! I'll go check out your links here!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Thanks f the info beautiful! ...sounds like a moving film!

Anonymous said...

great post! thats so interesting that you lived in iran

Unknown said...

yes we did!~
and indeed, it is the dawning of a new day.
eid mubarak!~

Mary-Laure said...

ROYAL T LADY - thanks A LOT for taking the time to write such an informative comment. I am familiar with the Eid festival in the Muslim culture, among other things because I have a very good friend who's a Lebanese Muslim and he always calls his family on the occasion of the Eid, at the end of Ramadam.
An Iranian friend told me that (though Persian is not a Semitic language of course), they still use the expression Eid Mubarak on the occasion of the New Year.
All this is fascinating!
How come you know so much about this, have you studied Arabic?

PIPER - que lindo que tu amiga haya podido ir! Si, la verdad que es un pais divino, y la gente es buenisima con los que visitan.

HADLEY... - I understand your longing, it's an extraordinary culture.