CMEC was delighted to celebrate the beginning of Spring, the Persian New Year, with our Honorary President Lords Soames of Fletching, and so many friends, in the House of Lords.
Nowruz is an ancient Persian festival, taking place each year March 20th-21st on the Spring Equinox. It is celebrated in Iran and many countries across the Middle East and Central Asia.
During the evening, Lord Soames delivered a heartfelt message:
"Your Excellencies, my Lords, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure, as The Honorary President of CMEC, to be your host for this celebration of Nowruz, here in the House of Lords.
CMEC was set up by Lord Carrington at the request of then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. For more than forty years CMEC has done invaluable work, enabling Parliamentarians to better understand the constantly-evolving complexities of the MENA region. In a political world of ever-faster turnaround and change, CMEC is proud to forge relationships that last decades, not days.
And of course, an essential part of building these friendships is celebrating together. And this evening we are celebrating change - from the old year to the new.
For those who have not celebrated Nowruz before, allow me briefly to outline its importance and the symbolism behind its rituals.
Nowruz originated as a celebration marking the beginning of the New Year in the Persian Calendar, and has been celebrated for over 3000 years. The word is a combination of two Persian words. “now” means new and “ruz” meaning day; together they mean “New Day”.
The exact beginning of the New Year occurs when the season changes from winter to spring on the vernal equinox, which usually happens on 20th or 21st March each year.
And today is a particularly special day in the Nowruz season: Many of you will be celebrating the ancient Fire-jumping festival - Chaharshanbe Suri.
Traditionally, the practice of leaping over flames of friendship, light and kindness symbolises discarding and burning away negativity and the old, to emerge ready for the new.
The festival has survived since Zoroastrianism in Persia - but I am afraid could not survive the House of Lords fire-regulations, so we cannot offer fire-leaping this evening...
However, even without our flames, I am delighted to invite you to celebrate spring and renewal with us this evening, and despite all the challenges we see around us, face into this spring renewal in the spirit of a joyful Nowruz.
Nowruz Mubarak!"
The event was attended by ambassadors and diplomats from across the region, and senior parliamentary figures.
The event was supported by the The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and CMEC would like to express its deep thanks to the Society.