FRÜHLING DER KULTUREN – NEWROZ/NOURUZ 2025

In the organizer's words:

Light, hope and diversity
Newroz is more than just a spring festival. It combines tradition, culture and politics and reminds us that renewal and community are universal values. With music, dance and rituals, Cologne not only welcomes spring, but also sets an example for diversity, unity and peace.

The internationally acclaimed band led by Ney-anbān master Mohsen Sharifian and his daughter Liana Sharifian will open the evening with the magical sounds of Bushehri music. This music, which emerged from the "Bandari" tradition, tells the story of the southern coastal region of Iran and its connection to the Persian Gulf.

With spiritual sounds in the ancient Iranian language Zazaki, Cologne-based artist Astare Artner takes the audience on a journey to the mystical roots of the Dersim region. Her songs, accompanied by the traditional long-necked lute Tembur, focus on nature, love and the elements of earth, water, air and fire.

A hypnotic performance awaits guests with the contemporary spinning dance of Lusnika, inspired by the Sufi ritual. The dance, in which dancers continuously rotate, symbolizes unity, spirituality and the connection to the divine source.

The traditional Haft-Sin table, a central element of Newroz, is lovingly presented. Seven symbolic elements - including apples (sib), hyacinths (sombol) and coins (sekke) - represent virtues such as health, prosperity and fertility. The table is complemented by candles, a mirror and a holy book, which represents the faith and spirituality of the celebrants.

The evening is rounded off with the traditional ritual of "Tschahar Schanbe Suri", in which guests symbolically jump over the fire. This act of purification stands for the hope of leaving all the negativity of the past year behind and starting the new year with light and energy.

Price information:

Price VVK: 20,00 € Theaterkasse am Neumarkt and Der andere Buchladen, Ubierring 42: 20,00 € Price B.O.: 22,00 € erm. Pupils, students, basic income support by reservation at suedstadt.leben@koeln.de: € 15.00