The celebration of the birthday of Ashu Zarathushtra on 6th Farvardin 1402 (Khordad sal) was held in Yazdani Hall of the religious, cultural, and sports complex of Shiraz Zoroastrians.
6th Farvardin is equivalent of Khordad day of the month of Farvardin, in the Zoroastrian chronology, when Ashu Zarathushtra was born, and this auspicious event brought happiness to all the people, young and old. Traditionally dressed girls did the welcoming ceremony with rose water and mirror. It took only a short time for the seats to be filled by Shirazi Zoroastrians and at 6:30 pm the program started with the Jashan Khani prayers (celebrative prayers) by Mobedyar Rostam Khosraviani and Sarvar Tarapourwala. Shiva Shahriarzadeh, the presenter of the program, expressed congratulations on this great day, followed by gatha hymns sung by the Shiraz hymn group. Then, shahram Pourdehi, member of the board of directors of Shiraz Zoroastrian Association, welcomed the audience, and said: “We are proud to announce that now that the birth of Ashu Zarathushtra is included in all calendars, instead of saying the 6th of Farvardin, let us proudly say the celebration of the birth of Ashu Zarathushtra. In continuation, he read the messages of Dr Esfandiar Ekhtiari, representative of Zoroastrian Iranians in the parliament, and Dr Mehraban Pouladi, head of Mobed association, on occasion of this great day and in the end, he requested the parents who were present, to teach their children the thought-provoking words of the Gathas. Morbedyar Sarvar Tarapourwala was the second speaker, who spoke about the role of truthfulness in Zoroastrianism and the fight against lies and darkness. In continuation of her speech, she explained the meaning of Afringan Dahman, in the Avesta and called all those who participate in holding ceremonies, celebrations, and programs worthy of praise.
After entertaining with lork (7 dried fruits) and pastry, it was the turn of the Zoroastrian Youth Choir of Shiraz to perform two pieces, “Sar Oumad Zemstoun and Baz Bahar Amad,” directed by Farshad Abbassian, which gained enthusiastic reception by the audience. Miss Aramis Kaviani’s monologue was then performed, and the audience was again entertained with pastry and lork. In the sequel, the comic play “Music Test” was performed by Farshad Jamshidi, Shahriar and Shervin Kavsi, Farnam Irji, Peyman Ghoshtasbi, Parsa Dehmobed, Sarwar Hormozzadeh, Parnian Koklari, and Mahtab Ghoshtasbi. A joyful competition directed by Shahram Pourdehi, for small children and youngsters was the last program of the day. This competition, especially in the children’s section, with the presence of 17 children, brought laughter and to the audience and repeated cheering. In the end, the audience were entertained with ash (stew) and siog (fried bread), prepared and donated by Ardeshir Sassani and Mahvash Akhtari. Many of the Shirazi Zoroastrians and also Nowrooz guests were preparing the ash and sirog from early morning hours. Mitra Javanmard was the coordinator of this program. The birthday celebration of Ashu Zarathushtra is the most auspicious and joyful celebration, held every year on 6th Farvardin, in Shiraz, participated by Shirazi’s and Nowrooz guests. The number of children and pre-school children present in the hall was amazing this year.
Photos by Sharam Pourdehi and Mahtab Goshtasbi
