<![CDATA[ZTFE - NoRuz Party]]>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:12:30 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[Together Old & Young Zoroastrians (TOYZ) NoRuz Party]]>Wed, 13 May 2026 14:03:19 GMThttps://www.ztfe.com/noruz-party/together-old-young-zoroastrians-toyz-norus-partyOn Sunday 8th March 2026, it was time to put some Spring into our step with our Together Old & Young Zoroastrians (TOYZ) NoRuz party! This special event was a unique collaboration between the Zoroastrian Migration Project, Fun Club, YZs & CZC bringing together 175 Zoroastrians of all ages from children, teens and YZs to parents, grandparents and older members of the community. 

Before we came together to celebrate NoRuz – a time of renewal, light, and new beginnings – we held a minute silence for our fellow Zoroastrians affected by the ongoing situation in Iran. We prayed to Ahura Mazda that this new year would bring hope, strength, and brighter days ahead for all.

To mark International Womens Day, we kicked off our event with a special interactive session to celebrate our strong inspirational Zoroastrian women or in the words of Freddie Mercury ‘Killer Queens!’.  From Cornelia Sorabji (the first woman to study Law at Oxford University) and Bhikaji Cama
(Indian independence activist) to important women in our lives such as our Mums, Grandmothers, Sisters and Daughters, our participants all shared what makes these women special!

We then ran two separate sessions concurrently – a Fun Club Class & NoRuz Party for our children in the main hall, and a special Heritage session in collaboration with the Zoroastrian Migration Project for the CZC & YZs in the foyer!

The children enjoyed an interactive session learning about the meaning, significance and traditions of NoRuz. It was then time for a snack break whilst while decorating egg templates with lots of paint, glitter, sparkles and stickers - we had some masterpieces!

The party games then commenced with children being mixed into various teams - it was beautiful to see all ages working together and having fun! Dress the Bunny, chocolate Egg treasure hunt, lemon & spoon space and musical chairs were amongst some of the games that were played.

In the special Heritage session led by Shiraz Sethna which was packed with both YZs and older Zoroastrians, we were joined by two very special and inspirational Zoroastrian women, Dolly Contractor and Paridokht Falahati. Shiraz interviewed both Dolly Aunty and Paridokht Aunty exploring their early life, childhood & schooling, reason for migration and life in the UK. It was so inspiring and touching for our YZs to learn about the challenges, hardships, joys and triumphs shared in these life stories and indeed a gift for them as the next generation!  The audience also enjoyed viewing special items on our heritage table including treasured family photos and personal objects such as a beautiful Gara saree and a Ses (silver devotional tray).

Everyone then came together to enjoy a delicious lunch of Chicken Pulao with Dar & Raita followed by Sev prepared by our wonderful caterer Xerxina Lavangia of The Parsee Kitchen!
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An interactive session about the tradition of the NoRuz Haftsheen table then followed. It was interesting for children, parents and grandparents to learn about the seven items set on this special table all beginning with “s” or “sh”, each with a special meaning and significance.

Finally, we were graced by a visit from Amu NoRuz (Zoro Santa all the way from Iran!) with his helpers dressed in beautiful traditional Persian clothes playing the Daf drum to mark his grand entrance. The children were truly excited to receive their gifts from Amu NoRuz which were lovingly chosen individually for each child.

What a joyful and beautiful event this was for Zoroastrians of all ages, which we will long remember in our hearts and minds.

​Please enjoy this short video we have put together which highlights some special moments from the day!
Our highlights
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