Lauderdale House in Highgate is holding the Nowruz Cultural Festival until April 6, offering a month-long programme of art, music, and cultural events to welcome the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring.
The festival, now in its third year, marks a tradition celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide and is rooted in more than 3,000 years of history.
The festival features a diverse line-up of events designed to engage audiences of all ages.
One of the main attractions is the Haft-sin Trail around Waterlow Park, a family-friendly installation featuring seven illustrated displays by emerging female Iranian artists.
Mehrdad Aref-Adib, an artist and curator who left Iran in 1983 and found sanctuary at Lauderdale House, said: “It’s been a privilege to see this festival grow over the last three years and to see how the community has embraced it.
“This year, we have some incredibly talented and inspiring artists taking part which will only deepen the creative and cultural significance of the festival and the impact that it has on everyone who comes along.
Soophia of Ava & Azar (Image: Soophia)
“Nowruz is an ancient Iranian way of insisting on life and marking renewal, and it is important that we continue to hold it even in difficult times.”
The Haft-sin table, central to Nowruz celebrations, includes seven items beginning with the letter ‘S’ in Persian, each symbolising themes such as happiness, health, and love. The trail invites visitors to explore the park while learning about the meaning behind each item and the broader cultural traditions of Nowruz.
Other highlights include a free public talk by Dr Fuchsia Hart on the V&A Museum’s collection of Iranian artefacts, and a literary event based on the book Iran +100, which imagines the future of Iran in 2053 through speculative fiction.
Sahar of SaharzDesign (Image: Sahar)
During the weekend of March 14 and 15, visitors can enjoy a bustling Nowruz Bazaar featuring art, books, pottery, and jewellery, as well as themed talks.
On March 15, Nowruz Family Day will offer families the chance to partake in free crafts while learning about Persian culture. Art enthusiasts can also visit one of three exhibitions at Lauderdale House throughout the festival.
These include Echoes in Print, showcasing contemporary print and image-making through the work of five UK-based Iranian artists; The Boy on the Peacock Throne: A Memoir In Images by Mehrdad Aref-Adib; and Threads of Home from Hopscotch Women’s Centre, a London-based charity that seeks to address racial and gender inequity.
The music stage for the festival (Image: Lauderdale House)
Music and performance are also central to the festival. The String of Pearls Ensemble will present an evening of poetry, stories, and song, while the Maydan Ensemble will perform Jazz in the House, who blend modern jazz with Arabic, Anatolian and Persian folk music.
Katherine Ives, director of Lauderdale House, said: “Our Nowruz Cultural Festival has become a true highlight of our year. We’re honoured to host so many talented Persian creatives and provide this wonderful opportunity for everyone to share such rich cultural traditions and celebrate local communities.
“There really is something for everyone and we hope to many people will join us in March.”
The festival has been curated once again by Mr Aref-Adib, who has long-standing ties to Lauderdale House and Waterlow Park since his arrival in north London as a teenager. The event aims to serve as a space for reflection, joy, and cultural exchange, at a time when global events make the celebration of community and renewal all the more meaningful.
The Nowruz Cultural Festival continues at Lauderdale House through to April 6.
