Tuesday, March 14, 2017, Chaharshanbe Suri was celebrated at the La Plaza Cultural Community Garden on Avenue C. Chaharshanbe Suri is a fire jumping festival celebrated just before the Persian New Year, which is on the Spring Equinox. The there was a bit of a snow storm during the day, but the festivities carried on.

 

Three small fires were lit, and according to the event organizers, the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space,  “It is customary to sing the phrase, “zardi-ye man az toh, sorkhi-ye toh az man” as you jump. Literal translation: my yellow is yours, your red is mine. This is a purification rite. Loosely translated, it means you want the fire to take your pallor, sickness, problems and winter blues and in turn give you health, warmth, and energy.”

 

 

 

 

 

Kids found a hill to sled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ol’ cardboard box sled.