Chahar shanbe soori - USA style Photo

Photographer’s Note

First off, apologies for the cell phone picture! But tonight I had to make do with what I had, and I stumbled upon this celebration by chance, driving through downtown Berkeley.

Tonight was the celebration of "Chahar shanbe soori" - the festival held the Wednesday before Persian new year - and it was celebrated in grand style not just in Iran, but in downtown Berkeley, California!

I learned about this Persian tradition from TrekEarth member Saam Bitaraf. He has a very helpful note to his picture, explaining the Zoroastrian origins of this ancient fire festival, which is designed to help cleanse you before the new year.

You'll also find an informative note about this tradition in a photo by Majid Saadabadi and another by Siamak Jafari.

The difference is that mine is taken by cell phone -- and in the U.S.A.

In this picture, the child is being gently cajoled by mom to jump over this small fire, part of a series of bonfires set up on the street. Enjoy!

(Don't worry: the child was actually lifted over the flames! ;-) )

saamb, Mondaychild, pendar, Mikos, startacked, sfsepehr, xuaxo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Mondaychild (1513) 2007-03-14 1:52

Hi Jose,

I think it was a good decision to post this one, even though the quality isn´t the best for sure. But that´s daily life par excellence, you can´t get any closer ... and you can´t wait for the next day to bring a decent camera.
Well done!

pendar (34) 2007-03-14 7:32

Thanks alot for sharing. Actually Iranian is living in thier very strong historical times which was before Islam.
We try to celeberate as much as possible our traditional Iranian festivals while still there are alot of celebrations which we can not celeberate and they are going to be forgotten.

siamakjafari (1343) 2007-03-14 11:41 [Comment]

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Mikos (4324) 2007-03-15 13:57

Hi José!

It´s not important that the picture was made by a mobile phone, the message is quite much more important than anything else.

It is great to live in a place which hosts different traditions, and you are able to get involved to!

Hugs from your friend from BCN!

Miguel

saamb (1004) 2007-03-16 2:24

Jose,
Wow, it's a wonderful shot for me. special thanks for your favour, i'm glad for this. although you have taken by cell phon, but this is a nice moment, that the woman help her kid for jumping. Chahar Shanbe Soori is a festival of glory, glory of fire. see my new photo of this festival. tnx for all.
SAAM

startacked (1286) 2007-03-20 17:07

Hi Jose,

Please don't apologize for the quality because I think this is one of your best post so far. This is streetphotography journalism. It tells a story. I want to learn this, here on TE. Saam is great isn't he? So young and invloved and so much knowledge about his culture. Great stuff Jose! Gilbert

xuaxo (5717) 2007-05-05 7:35

Hola José,
I don't worry about the photo technical quality. I like to see the event that you document here.

About celebrations, let me wish you today a
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
F

Photo Information

Copyright: Jose Rodriguez (calimex) (1029)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-13
Categories: Festivals
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Norooz (persian New Year), Norouz ( Iranian New Year ) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-14 1:45