The Nowruz show will be available for watching on BBC Persian TV and on the BBC News Persian YouTube channel.
BBC News Persian has announced a grand celebration of Nowruz, the festival of the spring equinox marking the new year in Iran and Afghanistan, with a special TV programme. The programme is scheduled to commence at 02:30 GMT on Wednesday, March 20.
Nowruz, celebrated by diverse communities for millennia across Western and Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea region, the Balkans, and South Asia, holds special significance as the most important annual festivity in Iran. It unites Iranians of various ethnicities, languages, and religious beliefs in joyous celebration.
Recorded at the Radio Theatre in the BBC’s London Broadcasting House, the programme features a blend of music performed by nine renowned singers and performers from Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, accompanied by 35 other musicians. BBC News Persian TV viewers will be treated to exclusive premieres of four compositions of Persian songs.
Notably, the gala showcases the talent of women from diverse backgrounds and countries, including rising young pop star Emma and Hoora, the first female performers from Iran’s remote region of Sistan and Balochistan. Legendary Iranian actor Alireza Mojallal, known for his portrayal of historic characters, also graces the stage with his presence.
In addition to musical performances, viewers will enjoy a cooking show judged by Iranian chef-influencer Alireza Sarraf. Three Iranian celebrities will team up with three BBC News Persian reporters to compete in cooking a traditional Nowruz meal, bringing culinary delights to the festivities. Adding to the joyous atmosphere, famous Iranian comic actor Borzou Arjmand will bring laughter to the cooking contest.
The Nowruz show will be broadcast on BBC Persian TV and streamed on the BBC News Persian YouTube channel. Clips will also be shared on BBC News Persian’s social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and X.
BBC News Persian is part of the BBC World Service.