On the ninth day of the Iranian New Year, we invite you to a special performance in honor of Nowruz—an ancient spring festival celebrated for over 3,000 years. Nowruz symbolizes renewal and the joyful arrival of spring. It also represents embracing new beginnings, letting go of old problems and resentments, and opening up to the experiences of the new year.
Performers
Majid Saeidi (Santur)
Majid began learning the santoor in 1993 at the age of 14. After moving to Berlin in 2006, he studied Civil Engineering at TU Berlin. Over the years, he has taught music and performed both solo and with ensembles across Europe. He currently lives in Berlin, where he teaches and performs music alongside his main profession.
Khashayar Pakfar (Vocals & Tombak)
Khashayar started playing the tombak, a traditional Iranian percussion instrument, at age 11 and began training in classical Persian singing at 13. He also plays the tar, and his professional career is in the software field. Over the past three years in Berlin, he has performed both solo and as part of various ensembles.
This concert features traditional Iranian music in the Shur and Afshari modes, presented in an authentic, classical style.
What is Newroz and what are the traditions?
Nowruz (نوروز) is the Persian New Year, celebrated for over 3,000 years across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and beyond. It marks the first day of spring and is a festival of renewal, joy, and family gatherings.
Haft-Sin Table: A symbolic arrangement of seven items starting with “S” in Farsi (Sabzeh, Samanu, Senjed, etc.).
Haji Firuz & Amu Nowruz: Haji Firouz is a cheerful street performer who sings and dances to herald the arrival of Nowruz. Amu Nowruz, an elderly man with a white beard, symbolizes the new year and brings gifts to children, similar to the Western Christian folk character Santa Claus. Together, they represent joy, renewal, and Iranian traditions.
Chaharshanbe Suri: Chaharshanbe Suri is an Iranian fire festival celebrated on the last Wednesday before Nowruz. People leap over bonfires, chanting "Zardi-ye man az to, sorkhi-ye to az man" meaning ‘May my paleness be yours, and may your redness be mine’.
Persian Instruments: Santur & Tombak
Santur (Persian Hammered Dulcimer)
The Santur is a traditional Persian hammered dulcimer, dating back over 2,500 years, and is one of the precursors to modern dulcimers and pianos. It consists of a trapezoidal wooden box with multiple strings, played by striking them with small mallets.
Tombak (Persian Goblet Drum)
The Tombak is a versatile wooden goblet drum central to Persian music. It has roots in ancient Iran, originally used in religious ceremonies, and became key in classical Persian music. It appears in classical, folk, and contemporary music, with regional styles offering unique rhythms.