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Party : Amsterdam, Mediamatic

The Fire Party

Gastarbeider Dating Closing Event on Tuesday

Lots of fire, music by Iranian DJ Ishtar, Persian Delights, our international bar and a massive gathering of aliens are the ingredients of the final Gastarbeider Dating party.

From 20.00 hrs all artists will be the first to jump over the fire.

This Fire Party is inspired by 'the Wednesday Fire Party' a Iranian festival which marks the arrival of spring and revival of nature. Nowruz, the Iranian New Year's Day, falls on March 20 this year.

And we're sorry, so let's mess it up a little: make your own Fitna film in our newly established Video Booth

  • Fire celebration

    Fire celebration -

    photo by prlupin found on flickr

with:

Iranian variation of Haloween

In Iran the last Wednesday of the year is known as Chahar Shanbeh Soori (Čahār Šanbé Sūrī). On the evening before this last Wednesday of the year bonfires are lit in public places. With the help of fire and light, it is hoped 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 specially children, wrap themselves in shrouds symbolically re-enacting 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