Nowruz, the arrival of the spring equinox, is an ancient celebration of hope and renewal. A group of East Bay students and makers are organizing a one-stop shop for the holiday, also known as Persian New Year, to raise funds to support the ongoing fight for women’s rights in Iran.
The market, the first of its kind in the East Bay and likely the Bay Area, will feature a dozen vendors, mostly of Iranian descent, selling homemade foods — think tangy Persian torshi and nutty halvah — plus art, jewelry, vintage clothing, plants and other DIY goods on March 12 at 2727 California Street, aJars of Persian torshi are among the foods for sale at a first-time Nowruz Market in Berkeley.
“In Iran, it’s such a big deal,” she says. “Anywhere you go, there are stands selling everything you need for your haft seen and people are getting ready for spring. It’s such a beautiful time. We just wanted to bring a little of that energy to the East Bay.”, an aspiring East Bay farmer who specializes in Persian herbs, will be selling sabzeh and sombol, or grape hyacinth, which are placed on the haft seen to symbolize renewal.
The market is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m., rain or shine, with a suggested entry donation of $2-$8, cash or Venmo. To learn more, visit Big Dill Kitchen on