Spring is just in the offing and Nowruz is the manifestation of victorious life. Each new solar year, which takes place at the time of change in nature and after resisting the cold and hard winter and the flow of life in the fabric of nature is an opportunity bestowed on man to remember the Day of Judgment, to understand the power of the Almighty Creator and to strive for evolving and reforming himself in all aspects of his spiritual, material, intellectual, personal, and social existence.

The supplication “O Conqueror of hearts and sights, O Planner of night and day, O Transformer of power and circumstances, Change our condition to the best of conditions”, which has its roots in the ancient and spiritual culture of Islamic Iran and is recited at the beginning of every new year (Nowruz), encompasses the most profound teachings (of Islam) for the desire of being transformed and indicates the lofty position of this ideal in the Iranian-Islamic lifestyle.

Nowruz, which is an opportunity for transformation and becoming a better human being, is an ancient celebration and tradition and is considered to be one of the components of the identity and the consolidating heritage of the culture of various Iranian ethnic groups, which, according to many writers, scholars, and orientalists, is greater than other world celebrations. The endurance and subsistence of Nowruz over the centuries is due to the fact that it has not been an artificial contract or an imposed political celebration. Nowruz is one of the manifestations of divine power, the message of the newness and revival of the world and the day of happiness for nature and man, which is manifested in its best form within the Iranian geography and territory.

The passage of time and historical ups and downs have not diminished the status of this tradition and have, on the contrary, clarified the fact that Nowruz and its customs are of a close and inseparable link and provide an opportunity for human beings to distance themselves from vices and evils and take a step towards goodness and refinement.

The wise and learned Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, had once said in one of his Nowruz messages: “All evils and ugliness in the world and within the context of human life are rooted in the evils and ugliness in man. If human beings are good, life is good and sweet. If the carnal desires and the inner devil fail to rule over human actions, the affairs of life will take place and flow in a way that is pleasing to the Most Merciful.”

According to this wise advice, Nowruz will be a blessed start of the perfect year in which man can rebuild his soul and personality with faith in God Almighty, lofty Islamic values, sincere efforts, spiritual and physical vitality, and divine knowledge and enlighten his soul and heart by strengthening his relationship with God Almighty.

We thank the All-Merciful God that - by His grace - the coming Nowruz, too, will be an opportunity to witness the celebration of the evolution of nature and to praise the greatness of God Almighty. What is of extended importance during these days is to be able to get transformed side by side the evolution and reproduction of nature and to strive more steadily in the path of spirituality, servitude, and service to the people.

It should also be emphasized that many valuable Islamic-Iranian capacities and resources can be the basis for the expansion of cultural relations, and the spring of nature, as one of the ancient customs and traditions, can serve as a valuable opportunity for the expansion and extension of cultural diplomacy by resorting to the many commonalities with other countries and pave the path for the development and expansion of international cultural relations.

In the end, I pray to God Almighty for good health and felicity for the dear readers of this magazine and I hope that, by the grace of God Almighty, the coming days will be full of the “best of conditions” for them.

Mohammad Mahdi Esmaili

Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance of the Islamic Republic of Iran