Marking the exact moment of the spring equinox, Nowruz celebrations around the globe are considered the most colorful of the Persian national festivals, and the Farhang Foundation’s Los Angeles celebration is among the largest worldwide. Translating to “new day,” Nowruz symbolizes rebirth and renewal and the opportunity for a fresh start. This year’s colorful, day-long program at UCLA included traditional arts and crafts, music, food and more to ring in the Persian New Year.
Leading up to and during the 15th annual celebration, the streets of Los Angeles were lined with more than 600 street banners bearing the 2025 festival’s winning design by Rashid Rahnama, a graphic artist from Melbourne, Australia. The annual Nowruz Banner Competition invites artists, illustrators and graphic designers around the world to capture the essence of Nowruz in a design that will symbolize the celebration around the city.
A creative centerpiece for the festivities was the Grand Haft Sîn, a Nowruz tradition that includes symbolic items representing rebirth, fertility, prosperity, love, health and beauty. Incorporated in smaller scale in homes around the world where the holiday is celebrated, the large-scale, vibrant festival display was designed this year by A Seed and Stone.
Other highlights of the festival included an Iranian-style decorated tent that served as a traditional Iranian Tea House, interactive art and creative activities for children, and a concert series that culminated with a performance by globally-acclaimed Iranian classical singer Mahdieh Mohammadkhani, who was joined by world-renowned countertenor Cameron Shahbazi. The performance marked Mohammadkhani’s first performance in the U.S. in more than a decade.
The Farhang Foundation is a nonprofit, non-religious, non-political organization that celebrates and promotes Iranian art and culture.
Photography by Vafa Khatami.
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