From the Ancient Times to the Modern Era: What Lesson Remains to Learn?

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I am sharing an article with you at an unusual time for two reasons. First, today marks the beginning of Spring (around 6.26 am, CET), also celebrated as the ancient Persian New Year. Second, I’ll be travelling to Southern Germany for a few days over the weekend into the next, so I thought it would be an opportunity to write a few words.

This is a joyful celebration to leave behind dark and cold times and welcome brightness and warmth; the only difference to Easter is that this fiesta marks the start of a new year. It all sounds friendly and happy, though, as you might know, there is no happiness left to celebrate in Iran. Of course, the brave Iranians do celebrate it nonetheless, even though it coincides with the mourning Islamic month of Ramadan!

It looks like a never-ending battle between ancient traditional Persian ceremonies and the imposed Arabic religion. I don’t want to shout out like some lofty patriotic people who still try to prove a trampled and destroyed glory that might have been perfectly installed by Cirus the Great during his reign, who had built an enormous empire based on human rights but slowly was destroyed not only by the Arabs but even before that by the latest dynasties and their avaricious religious monks.

One of the most significant mistakes humans can make is relying on who or what they were in the past rather than who or what they are now. This happened in Iran many years ago and continues to happen now, as people keep talking about their glorious history. It seems that Iranian monarchists are attempting to use the pride of ancient Persia to promote their cause, much like how Mussolini tried to do the same with Rome for Italy. However, I struggle to understand these sentiments from my Persian friends here in Germany, who constantly talk about the greatness of Persia and its past strength. But where is that glory now? I believe that traditions can be beneficial if used consciously. A sense of pride can serve as a foundation for creating a better world for all humans.

Anyway, I wish all the people of Iran, every ethnicity or folk, a happy Nowruz with great hope for casting freedom, equality and prosperity all over the country. This will happen because the leaders are women! #Woman_Life_Freedom

Illustration by Marina Terauds 

I’m finishing this post with a short piece by an Iranian artist, Parisa Alipour. Be safe and well, everybody.πŸ™πŸ’–πŸŒŸβœŒπŸ€—

At the top: Photo by Cory Grace / Freer and Sackler Galleries, Smithsonian Institution

Hope dies last!
Which of the most lasting gifts you can give yourself is that
Live your life this way*
To enjoy the moment
Don’t be someone’s lame…

✍ #Parisa_Zabli_Pour πŸ“š @audiobo0ok

18 thoughts on “From the Ancient Times to the Modern Era: What Lesson Remains to Learn?

  1. Happy first day of spring, dear Aladin !

    I liked your references to the celebrations of the occasion in Iran and also the videos you shared

    I also agree when you say that a major mistake humans can make is to rely on who or what they were in the past rather than who or what they are now. As you say, we had sad confirmation of this in Italy, with Mussolini

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Thank you for sharing this joyful, colourful post today, Aladin. You’ve filled it with ancient Persian history and some sad modern day information. I loved the rich quotes and wonderful art you’ve shared too, especially Marina’s! Yay! I hope you can see us waving back! Spring blessings and happy holidays, have a lovely time my dear friend. Love and light, Deborah.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. elainemansfield's avatar elainemansfield

    Thank you, Aladin. We need the good to prevail in Iran and also in the United States which are not united now. Have a wonderful break from concerns from the world if you can. Blessed New Year and Spring. (It’s snowing at my home, but the sun peeks through the clouds now and then.) May we all remember to pray for peace every day.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Lin, thank you so much for your heartfelt support. The issues we face often stem from religious and power-driven motives. Let us hope for more rationality and good sense in the future. I wish you and yours a happy Spring Equinox.πŸ€—πŸ™πŸ’–πŸŒΉ

      Liked by 1 person

  4. AH! You are on holiday.

    Hope you are having a blast,Aladin!

    Seems like what happened in Iran, and in Italy is happening in the USA right now.

    Yes, big differences, BUT… religion is weighing heavily, and an autocratic nightmare is gathering momentum.

    Many are asleep at the wheel. In November we shall see if any of those woke up.

    Sending felicitations for whatever holiday you celebrate.

    πŸŒŸπŸ’–πŸŒ·πŸŽΌβ˜€οΈ

    Liked by 1 person

    • oh, yes, my dear friend. Religion has been weighing heavily all the time in human history πŸ€ͺ! Now, as you mentioned, the USA is on its turn to prove its greatness. Let’s hope for a positive surprise inourfavour! πŸ€“πŸ˜³πŸ€ Thank you, lovely Resa. πŸ₯°πŸ’₯

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