Happy New Year - Iran

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Iranians prepare for nervous new year
By Gareth Smyth in Tehran
Published: March 20 2006 18:22 | Last updated: March 20 2006 18:22

Iranians on Tuesday celebrate the first day of their New Year with rituals of regeneration and renewal marking Noruz, the onset of spring.

Families have bought new clothes and cleaned their houses. And last Tuesday many people jumped seven times over open outdoor fires to ward off decay and malice.

The seasonal optimism of Noruz coincides this year with fresh hopes for overcoming Iran’s international problems centred on the country’s referral to the United Nations Security Council over its nuclear programme.

Many Iranians warmly welcome the announcement from Ali Larijani, the top security official, that Iran is ready for talks with America over common interests in neighbouring Iraq. “This is good news, and we wish for a positive US response,” said a 44-year-old man in north Tehran.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/ce040062-b83b-11da-bfc5-0000779e2340.html