Noruz: The Persian Spring (2014)
Spring begins on the 20th March, and for comedian Shappi Khorsandi this is NoRuz or New Year's Day. It's the biggest festival of the year for millions from Iran to India and in the UK will be celebrated with fire-leaping, religious prayers recited in front of fire and a countdown to the exact moment of the spring equinox.
Shappi, who was born in Iran, wants her young English son to experience NoRuz for the first time. He joins her on her journey of discovery, from setting up the centrepiece new year's table to taking his first symbolic leap over fire. Through their journey, Shappi reveals how many springtime traditions have much deeper, sacred roots in this ancient festival.
The roots of NoRuz are in the ancient Zoroastrian faith. Legendary rock star Freddie Mercury was a Zoroastrian and his sister, Kashmira Cooke, explains in this documentary what the faith meant to the family. TV Chef Cyrus Todiwala is also a Zoroastrian, and he cooks and chats with Shappi about NoRuz traditions.
Producer/Director: Gillian Bancroft
Duration: 29 minutes
Suggested credit: NoRuz: The Persian Spring (2014) © BBC Archive