TEHRAN – Tehran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Institute will hold a gathering to commemorate the first anniversary of Meghan’s celebration inscription, an ancient autumn festival on the UNESCO representative list of human intangible cultural heritage.
Institute faculty Mariam Dhara will be speaking at the event along with Tara Povara and Babak Saramati, the Institute said on Monday.
Mehregan, also known as the Mehrger festival, is one of the traditional Iranian celebrations and is associated with the autumn equinox. Considered the second most important festival after Nowruz, the festival is associated with the equal length of Thanksgiving and early autumn day and night.
The celebration, which is normally extended over several days, has roots in Zoroastrian traditions. It is named after Mehr, the God of friendship, peace and solidarity.
In 2024, the festival was co-written by Iran and Tajikistan on the UNESCO heritage list during the 19th session of the 19th Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay.
In Iran, Melgan is celebrated primarily in Zoroastrian communities and in rural Muslim ceremonies. The festival includes a variety of rituals, including reading Zoroastrian sacred texts, setting up traditional tablecloths decorated with seasonal food, and preparing special dishes. Music, local wrestling, and communal feasts are integral parts of the celebration. In urban areas, the festival is less common, but is important in areas that are important among the Zoroastrian communities in northern Iran and in provinces such as Yaz, Faz and Tehran.
In Tajikistan, Melgan is celebrated as a post-harvest Thanksgiving festival, highlighting shared habits such as feasts, music and community gatherings. Farmers and gardeners are key participants, reflecting the festival’s farmland roots. This event is also an important opportunity for social cohesion, bringing together people of all ages, genders and backgrounds to promote mutual respect and solidarity.
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