0:00:09 > 0:00:11# Can't wait to celebrate
0:00:11 > 0:00:13# It's great to celebrate
0:00:13 > 0:00:15# Can't wait to celebrate
0:00:15 > 0:00:17# It's great
0:00:17 > 0:00:18# To celebrate! #
0:00:24 > 0:00:29Hello! Welcome to Number 22. I'm Thomas Ticker.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33I seem to have made a bit of a mess today.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I can't find my glasses.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39I know I had them recently, but I can't remember where I put them.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40Oh, well, never mind.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44The wonderful celebration today is called Norouz.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49Norouz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year
0:00:49 > 0:00:51in the Iranian calendar.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54It's celebrated by Zoroastrians
0:00:54 > 0:00:58and I've got two friends who want to tell you all about it.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02I'm Berzin!
0:01:02 > 0:01:04And I'm Benaifar.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09Together, we are getting ready for a special celebration called Norouz!
0:01:11 > 0:01:14'We are Perthes Zoroastrians.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16'Norouz means "new day" in Persian.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20'It celebrates the first day of our new year
0:01:20 > 0:01:22'and the first day of spring.'
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Off you go and clean your rooms, then.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I don't usually like tidying up my bedroom,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35but we're getting ready for Norouz and I just don't mind.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40'It is very important to start the new year very clean and tidy.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44'So we are helping our mum to give the house a good spring clean.'
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Dusty, dusty, dusty!
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Now it is time to make my bed.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07I'd better go and help clean downstairs.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18GIGGLING
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Come on. If you've finished cleaning, we'll go now.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25OK.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26Let's go.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30I can't wait. I'm so excited to see my friends.
0:02:30 > 0:02:36'It's time to go and see our friends at the Zoroastrian Centre now.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40'This is where we come to celebrate Norouz in a couple of weeks.'
0:02:42 > 0:02:44The first thing we are going to do
0:02:44 > 0:02:47is go up and pray with our friends. Come on!
0:02:47 > 0:02:52'There are three things that we must do before we go inside.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56'We must take off our shoes...
0:02:59 > 0:03:01'..we must wash our hands...
0:03:03 > 0:03:05'..and we must cover our heads.'
0:03:08 > 0:03:11We're going up to the prayer room now.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17'We are saying
0:03:17 > 0:03:19'a special prayer.'
0:03:19 > 0:03:21THEY PRAY ALOUD IN UNISON
0:03:27 > 0:03:29LADY: OK, everybody, bow down.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32'We're putting a special ash on our foreheads.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35'This is a special blessing.'
0:03:35 > 0:03:37LADY: Well done.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Spring is a time when nature comes alive.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Flowers and trees blossom.
0:03:44 > 0:03:50'One things we do to celebrate this is growing wheat or lentil seeds.'
0:03:50 > 0:03:53We are making special things to go on the table.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55It is called the haft seen table.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59We plant lentil seeds that will grow into a plant.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Then, we will put that on the table.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06'We plant the seeds two weeks before Norouz.'
0:04:06 > 0:04:10'These seeds have been soaking in water for two days,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12'to bring them to life.'
0:04:13 > 0:04:18'Then, we take these pieces of cloth and make them all wet in the water.'
0:04:18 > 0:04:24'Then, we cover up the seeds with the wet cloth.'
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Now, my seeds are planted.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33I'm so excited by Norouz, my plant might be this big.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38'We are now going to paint and decorate some eggs
0:04:38 > 0:04:41'to put on the haft seen table now.'
0:04:41 > 0:04:42I'm going to paint
0:04:42 > 0:04:47a rainbow, a butterfly and a flower on my egg.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52'When we see the eggs on the haft seen table,
0:04:52 > 0:04:57'they help us to remember nature and life, all around us.'
0:05:00 > 0:05:03'I can't wait to see what my mum thinks
0:05:03 > 0:05:05'when my egg's on the haft seen table.'
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Look at my pink butterfly.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18My egg is really messy and colourful.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21My egg's finished.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23There we are. All done.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27'See you soon for our Norouz celebrations.'
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Eugh! That all looked very messy!
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But my house isn't messy anymore. Ta-da!
0:05:34 > 0:05:38I copied Berzin and Benaifar and tidied my room.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Well, when I say "tidied", I mean,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43I put everything here on the table and it's...
0:05:45 > 0:05:46Oh.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Well, I suppose I'd better tidy up properly.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54While I do this, there is a great story that is heard at Norouz.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55# Celebrate! #
0:05:56 > 0:06:01One day, a kind shepherd, called Jamshed, was herding his flock,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03when God called to him and said,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05"Jamshed, beware.
0:06:05 > 0:06:11"Soon, evil will send a really long winter and a heavy snowstorm
0:06:11 > 0:06:13"that will kill all the people,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18"animals, birds and plants in the world. I need you to help me."
0:06:18 > 0:06:20When Jamshed heard God's plan,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22he found a large cave
0:06:22 > 0:06:26and searched far and wide for people to take inside.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30He found animals of every kind and gathered plants and seeds,
0:06:30 > 0:06:34putting them in large sacks and took everything to the cave,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36where he lit a fire and waited.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40The following day, dark clouds appeared in the sky
0:06:40 > 0:06:42and covered the sun.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Soon, snow began to fall.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48It kept snowing, until everywhere -
0:06:48 > 0:06:52mountains, forests and even deserts - were covered with snow.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57But for 40 months, Jamshed, the people and the animals
0:06:57 > 0:07:00were all warm and safe inside the cave.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Then, one morning, Jamshed took one of the white doves
0:07:07 > 0:07:09and let it out of the cave.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10It flew around,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14but finding nowhere to land, it returned to the cave.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17A few days later, the dove was released again,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21but once more, there was nowhere for the dove to land.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26A few more days passed and, this time, when Jamshed released the dove,
0:07:26 > 0:07:27it didn't come back.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29The snow had melted.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Everyone slowly emerged from the cave.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Jamshed and the people gave thanks to God
0:07:36 > 0:07:39for helping them survive the harsh winter.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42The new day, or "norouz", had arrived
0:07:42 > 0:07:46and that's why Zoroastrians call it
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Jamshedi Norouz to this very day.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52# It's great to celebrate! #
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Isn't that a great story?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Imagine it snowing for months and months.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59You'd forget what colour the grass was!
0:07:59 > 0:08:01I've tidied up now.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Still haven't found my glasses, but I did find this chalk.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Got a bit arty and drawn a message for Berzin.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Happy New Year! Ha-ha!
0:08:10 > 0:08:12And Berzin is using chalks,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16to make some special patterns for Norouz. Shall we see?
0:08:19 > 0:08:22BOTH: Happy Norouz!
0:08:25 > 0:08:28On the morning of Norouz, we put chalk outside.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33This chalk will bring us lots of good luck for the new year.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35MUM: That's it. That's it!
0:08:35 > 0:08:41I'm putting purple chalk onto the flowers.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42Right, on this side.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43That's it.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Our patterns are really colourful.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- One, two, three!- OK, next one.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52I'm putting orange on it.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56This says, "Happy New Year", because it's our new year today.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01My pattern's finished!
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Well done, you two!
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Mummy's going to get our new clothes. I'm so excited.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14We've got new clothes!
0:09:14 > 0:09:15That's for you.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20Not only is it important to have a nice clean house for Norouz,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22it's also tradition to wear new clothes.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Look at my new top and my new trousers!
0:09:25 > 0:09:28I'm going to look very smart in this.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30look at my new dress!
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Do you remember the wheat seeds that we planted?
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Look how much they've grown!
0:09:37 > 0:09:40I'm taking it to put on the haft seen table.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45'We've arrived at Granny and Granddad's house.'
0:09:48 > 0:09:50CHILDREN: Hello!
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Happy Norouz!
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- How are you?- Nice to see you.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'My granny is putting a mark on our foreheads.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04'This is called a tili.'
0:10:08 > 0:10:11'My granny is putting a garland around our necks.'
0:10:11 > 0:10:13There's your little pressie.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Thank you.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16Happy Norouz.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Happy Norouz, Granny.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Thank you.- And Norouz Mobarak.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Thank you.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31We are watching the haft seen table being laid.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36'Lots of special items are being put on this table.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39'Lots of them are to do with nature
0:10:39 > 0:10:41'and make us remember life all around us.'
0:10:41 > 0:10:44And our plants are going to be put on, too.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Look, there's a picture of a fish.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55It makes up think about animals.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59The nuts make us thankful for the food we eat.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04Our painted eggs are going to be put onto the haft seen table.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05BOTH: Mummy, Mummy!
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Come and look at our eggs on the haft seen table.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10Wow!
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- And our plants.- Which one is yours?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- This one's mine.- Wow!
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- This one's mine. - Your plants. Well done.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22It has grown, hasn't it? It looks lovely.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Well done!
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Before our celebrations begin,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30we have to go and say our prayers in the Fire Temple.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35'The fire burns in that big urn all the time.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39'It reminds us of God's light.'
0:11:39 > 0:11:45'Can you see the priest putting the sandalwood on the fire?'
0:11:45 > 0:11:50'Zoroastrian priests wear special white clothes.'
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Now, it's time to join everyone else,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57for a big prayer ceremony, the Jashan, where they say
0:11:57 > 0:11:59thank you for lots of things.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07'I've got a really special job - to give the priest some sandalwood.'
0:12:10 > 0:12:14There is a lot of people around for the celebration now.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Look at their new outfits.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24'I love dancing.'
0:12:24 > 0:12:27'I like playing with my friends.'
0:12:32 > 0:12:34'The food is yummy.'
0:12:36 > 0:12:39'We are having so much fun.'
0:12:39 > 0:12:42It's great to celebrate!
0:12:42 > 0:12:43CHEERING
0:12:43 > 0:12:45# It's great to celebrate. #
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Thanks, Berzin.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48I really enjoyed that.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50I still haven't found my glas...
0:12:51 > 0:12:52There they are.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Have they been here the whole time?
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Why didn't you tell me, Sprocket?
0:12:57 > 0:12:58Where can I put them?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I'll put them up here, so I won't forget them.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06Now, it's time to go outside for my own street party. Hey-hey!
0:13:06 > 0:13:08# I can't wait to celebrate
0:13:08 > 0:13:10# It's great to celebrate
0:13:10 > 0:13:12# I can't wait to celebrate
0:13:12 > 0:13:14# It's great to celebrate
0:13:14 > 0:13:16# I can't wait to celebrate
0:13:16 > 0:13:18# It's great to celebrate
0:13:18 > 0:13:20# I can't wait to celebrate
0:13:20 > 0:13:22# It's great to celebrate
0:13:26 > 0:13:30# We're so excited cos it's going to be
0:13:30 > 0:13:34# A party time for all our friends and family
0:13:34 > 0:13:37# We're getting ready We'll have so much fun
0:13:37 > 0:13:42# So come and join in - everyone!
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- # Cos it's time for us to celebrate - It's great to celebrate
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- # Now it's time for us to celebrate - It's great to celebrate
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- # Cos today is such a special day - It's great to celebrate
0:13:53 > 0:13:56# And it's time for you and me to celebrate
0:13:56 > 0:13:57# To celebrate
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- # Time for us to celebrate - Can't wait to celebrate
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- # Now it's time for you and me - It's great to celebrate
0:14:03 > 0:14:06# It's great to celebrate. #