Fire Party
The fire party started at 20.00 hrs when the artists were the first to jump over the fire.
The Party was inspired by 'the Wednesday Fire Party', an Iranian festival which marks the arrival of spring and revival of nature. Nowruz, the Iranian New Year's Day, took place on the 20th of March in 2008.
And we were sorry, so we decided to mess things up a little: with Make your own Fitna film in the video booth.
In Iran the very last Wednesday of the year is known as Chahar Shanbeh Soori (Čahār Šanbé Sūrī). On the evening before this specific Wednesday, bonfires are lit in public places. By the use of both fire and light, everyone wishes for enlightenment and happiness throughout the coming year. People leap over the flames, shouting:
Sorkhi-ye to az man; Zardi-ye man az to
Give me your beautiful red colour; And take back my sickly pallor!
Many people, especially children, wrap themselves in shrouds symbolically reenacting the visits of spirits. By the light of the bonfire, they run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year, while they knock on doors to ask for treats. Indeed, Halloween is a Celtic variation of this night.
Source: CAIS
