Where is the Persian New Year?

Where is the Persian New Year?











Help Haji Firuz!

Where is the Persian New Year (Noruz)? Help Haji Firuz find the hidden words to celebrate the new year. The words you have to find are in italics in the story.

Persians live in the country called Iran. They speak Farsi, but like Canada, other languages are spoken as well. The capital city is Tehran. The Persian New Year, called Noruz, starts on the first day of spring, March 20 or 21.

Traditionally, a Noruz table is set up with the "haft seen", which means the seven ?S's (haft means seven, and seen means S), seven things that begin with the Farsi letter ?S'.

These are Sonbol (hyacinth), Seeb (apple), Seer (garlic), Soamuk (sumac), Samanu (a kind of pastry), Sabzi (sprouts) and Senjed (a kind of fruit). Goldfish and eggs are also traditional at Noruz. Haji Firuz, in his red hat and coat, appears at Noruz. He does not hand out presents like Santa Claus, but plays a small drum and sings songs. The holiday season lasts for 12 days. The 13th day is called Seensda Bedar, when, if the weather is nice, everybody goes outside for a picnic.

Print out and circle the hidden words.