We are approaching the Persian year 1386. The 21st of March, officially and according to all laws of nature, the beginning of a new cycle of life, is signed as the moment all Iranians around the world celebrate their new year.

This year, nature has a hard time understanding itself though. Global warming caused Spring to start early in The Netherlands. It was only the 2nd of February when I noticed the chirping of a group of exotic birds in our street. The unnaturally high temperature in February caused these birds to settle here, all together, in my street. Every morning, I had the feeling as if I intruded in a scene of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Birds”. The green and orange parrots that crowded the naked and leafless oak tree’s seemed somehow misplaced. The white spots on the ground, around the tree’s marked their unmistakable presence. Of course, Winter came back at the end of February, and the parrots that were starting to starve - because of the absence of the worms, and berries, which obviously didn’t let themselves get fooled by the early sunrays of February- set off to more southern places.

Now that Spring is officially coming closer, and the crocuses, daffodils and lilies have started to bloom, another unexpected freak of nature occurs. Temperatures have dropped even further and it actually started to hail today. Big rocks of ice smashed down on the young and fragile crocuses, which had prudently held course with the laws of nature.

What is nature trying to tell us? (except for: “ Stop poisoning me, you goddamn morons!!”) I interpret the early visit of the Hitchcock birds and the late hail as signs to say that we shouldn’t get too comfortable in our own comfort zones. Nothing is certain in this world. We mustn’t take anything or anyone for granted. Not our life nor the life of others. We shouldn’t limit ourselves to the boundaries of our own perspectives and we should believe in the strength of that fragile crocus - that was suddenly assaulted by the smashing hail- to hold on and present itself in all its glory on the day that we celebrate the birth of all things new and pure.

Let this Norooz be the day on which we shall celebrate life that is worth living. For the sake of the crocus that survived the hail, for the sake of the early birds whose return we wish for. Let Norooz be the day we will forgive the cold and thank it for awaking our senses so that we would appreciate more the true things that matter to us. Let Norooz be the start of a year in which the long flight of the misguided parrots be rewarded with a warm and fruitful place where they can live in peace and safety. Let there be harmony. This is my new year wish for you all.