Beverly Hills Residents Celebrate Persian New Year

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Beverly Hills residents led a celebration of Nowruz, the Persian new year celebration, at the city's first in-person council meeting in nearly a year.

Beverly Hills Public Works Commissioner Sharona Nazarian and resident Nooshin Meshkaty explaining the holiday Nowruz, a Persian holiday that begins on the first day of spring and represents new beginnings, they said.

Celebrations begin a week before the actual holiday, which landed on March 20 this year, with preparations like setting up a haft-sin table — a celebratory table set up for the holiday with symbolic items on it, according to Meshkaty.

Meshkaty and Nazarian put together a haft-sin table that was on display in Beverly Hills City Hall.

"Iranians have been a part of the rich tapestry that makes Beverly Hills so beautiful for over 40 years. As in years past, once again we are delighted ... to be able to share our culture and heritage with you and our community. I always feel that education is the key to life, because when we learn more about each other we create greater understanding, mutual respect, awareness and have more joy in our lives," Nazarian said.

Meshkaty handed out fresh dollar bills at the council meeting, a traditional Nowruz celebration. The bills were meant to represent good luck, health and happiness, Meshkaty said.

"In Beverly Hills, Nowruz also provides a festive occasion to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our Persian community," Mayor Robert Wunderlich said.