http://www.mediamatic.net/id/328772010-11-10T07:42:33+01:00The Fire PartyGastarbeider Dating Closing Event on Tuesday<p>Lots of fire, music by Iranian DJ Ishtar, Persian Delights, our international bar and a massive gathering of aliens were all ingredients of the final Gastarbeider Dating Party.</p><h2>Fire Party</h2>
<p>The fire party started at 20.00 hrs when the artists were the first to jump over the fire. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>And we were sorry, so we decided to mess things up a little: with <a href="http://www.mediamatic.net/article-33851-nl.html">Make your own Fitna film</a> in the video booth.</p>
<p><span class="inline-image-wrapper ui_animateFigureCaption"><a href="http://www.mediamatic.net/33838/nl/dj-ishtar-at-mediamatic">
<img src="http://fast.mediamatic.nl/f/sjnh/image/103/33838-300-400.jpg" height="400" width="300" alt="" title="DJ Ishtar at Mediamatic" playable="1"/>
</a><span class="caption-inline"><span class="title"><a title="Click to get a larger image - DJ Ishtar at Mediamatic - Mediamatic.net" href="/33838/nl/dj-ishtar-at-mediamatic">DJ Ishtar at Mediamatic</a></span></span></span></p>
<p>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:</p>
<p><em>Sorkhi-ye to az man; Zardi-ye man az to</em><br/>
<em>Give me your beautiful red colour; And take back my sickly pallor!</em> </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Celebrations/fire_festival.htm">CAIS</a></p>-4.9098252.3758ARTEFACTeventparty1