By Afshin Majlesi

Age-old Noruz traditions altered by coronavirus in Iran

Iranians experienced totally-changed traditions during this Noruz (the two-week New Year holidays started March 20) in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has crippled the tourism and hospitality industries worldwide.

Leader determines “surge in production” as pivotal issue of New Year

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has issued a message on the occasion of the new Iranian calendar year, 1399.

Zarif: U.S. ‘vengefully’ refusing to lift sanctions; all responsible for any destructive ramifications

TEHRAN – On the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif released a video on Wednesday to congratulate the Iranian nation, who is under the US’ tough sanctions and among the hardest-hit by the coronavirus, a happy and healthy year.

IRIB to air four acclaimed Iranian movies during Noruz holiday

TEHRAN – Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) will air four acclaimed Iranian movies during the Noruz holiday beginning on March 20.

Cuban ambassador lauds Iranians fighting coronavirus amid ‘genocidal’ U.S. sanctions 

TEHRAN - Alexis Bandrich Vega, the ambassador of Cuba to Iran, sent a message on Tuesday to the Tehran Times congratulating Iranians on the new Persian year and praised the Iranians who are working hard to contain coronavirus amid sanctions imposed on the country by the “immoral and genocidal” U.S.

Interactive virtual tours ready to respond coronavirus crisis in Iran

TEHRAN – A number of Iranian startups are offering free interactive virtual tours across the country as its tourism, like many other countries, has gone into partial or complete lock down over the Covid-19 pandemic.

60,000 IRCS forces to stay on duty during Noruz holidays

TEHRAN – Some 60,000 forces of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) will stay on duty to deal with any probable natural disasters during New Year holiday (known as Noruz, starting on March 20 this year).

By Afshin Majlesi

New year travels plunge amid virus outbreak

For many Iranians, the new year’s eve conjures up memories of holidays and traveling along dreamy beaches, silky warm seas, lush sceneries, and endless sunshine.

IRIB to air four comedy series during Noruz holiday

TEHRAN – Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) will air four comedy TV series during the Noruz holiday beginning on March 20.

Travels banned to Iran’s “golden triangle” over virus fears

TEHRAN – Like many other destinations across Iran, its famed “golden triangle” of tourism, which is referred to the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd, has announced it will host no visiting tourists until further notice in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

Iran calls off Noruz celebrations amid coronavirus threat

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan announced on Tuesday that no official celebrations or public gatherings, even the pre-scheduled ones, will be held during the new year Noruz holidays (starting March 20 this year) in a bid to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Tehran’s major museums open during Noruz despite corona fear

TEHRAN – Tehran’s major museums and historical places will be open during Noruz (Iranian new year holidays, starting March 21) despite the outbreak of coronavirus.

Kish Island to close tourist sites during Noruz amid coronavirus outbreak

TEHRAN – It started with domestic flight restrictions to the Kish Island, but authorities have announced the Persian Gulf island “will receive no traveler” during the Noruz holidays (starting March 21).

Online campaign launched to protect handicrafts as virus fears hurt sales

TEHRAN – An online campaign has been launched in Iran to protect handicrafts as fears of coronavirus outbreak have left shops and stores empty countrywide.

New films line up to augment Noruz holiday

TEHRAN – Seven Iranian films are scheduled to go on screen at Iranian theaters during Noruz, the Iranian New Year celebration, which will begin on March 20.

Iran-Turkmenistan border crossing to host Noruz celebration

TEHRAN – Iran and Turkmenistan are scheduled to celebrate Noruz, the Persian New Year traditions shared between the two nations, during a joint event at their border crossing on March 27, CHTN reported.

Iran proposes Croatia to join UN-recognition of Noruz

TEHRAN – Iran has put forward Croatia a proposal to join a multinational dossier for Noruz that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has approved for Iran and several other countries.

Border traffic on the rise between Iran, Azerbaijan

TEHRAN – Traffic of passengers between Iran and Azerbaijan at Bileh Savar border crossing has increased by 23 percent in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) from a year earlier, a local official has said.

Tirgan, a feast in honor of rain

Tirgan (also known as Jashn-e Tirgan) is a time-honored Iranian festival usually observed as a rain festival. Tiragan, along with Noruz, Yalda Night and Mehregan are amongst feasts widely celebrated in the ancient land.

Iran foreign arrivals up over 16% in Noruz

TEHRAN - The number of foreign visitors arriving in Iran rose 16.75 percent during Noruz (the Iranian new year holidays from March 21-April 4) compared to the same period last year, a senior tourism official has said.

Seafaring grows over Noruz holidays

TEHRAN – The number of sailings in Iran grew by nine percent during the Persian New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 16-April 4) in comparison to the same period last year, said deputy director of the Ports and Maritime Organization.

Half a million visits to Sa’dabad museums registered in Noruz

TEHRAN – Iran tourism body has registered over half a million visits to museums at Tehran’s Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5).

1.1m visited Sistan-Baluchestan during Noruz

TEHRAN – Over 1.1 million visited Sistan-Baluchetan province during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5), which shows 19 percent increase in comparison to the same period last year, its governor general has said.

Outbound tourism slumps by 45% over Noruz holidays: official

TEHRAN - Iran’s outbound tourism fell by 45 percent during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5) in comparison to the same period last year, a tourism official has said.

Niavaran complex hosts 8k visitors during Noruz

TEHRAN – A total of 80,835 people toured Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5).

Flooding, rainfalls drop hotel occupancy in Noruz holidays

TEHRAN - Fewer people stayed in Iranian hotels during New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 4) compared to the same period a year earlier due to record flooding and rain showers, according to statistics released Monday by the head of Iran Hotels Association.

By Afshin Majlesi

Travel in Iran grows over Persian New Year holidays

TEHRAN - People in Iran made 74 million overnight stays in their domestic trips during the Persian New Year (Noruz) holidays, an increase of 20 percent year on year, Iran tourism chief announced on Sunday.

Gasoline consumption in Norouz holidays hits 2b liters

TEHRAN – Iran’s gasoline consumption during the peak demand of the Norouz (Persian New Year) holidays (March 17 – April 5) reached near two billion liters, Tasnim news agency Reported.

Over 74m overnight stays recorded across Iran in Noruz

TEHRAN – Iranians made over 74 million overnight stays during the two-week New Year (Noruz) holidays, starting March 21, CHTN reported.

By Manijeh Rezapoor 

Core of Iran Noruz in family: Afghan filmmaker Sahraa Karimi 

TEHRAN -- Sahraa Karimi, a filmmaker, writer and photographer originally from Afghanistan, but born and raised in Tehran, says that family is the core of the Noruz celebration.