Norooz, Newroz , Noruz or Sultan Nevruz (depending on where you’re from) literally translated means new day. It is the New Year as celebrated by people of the Middle East and Asia including Iranians, Kurds, Afghans, Tajiks and Azeris, as well as some countries in Europe such as Albania.

Unlike our celebrations, their New Year does not start on January 1 but rather at the moment of the spring equinox, when the sun passes over the equator. This year that day falls on March 20.

In the run-up to the celebrations a lot of spring-cleaning is done and efforts are made to get things looking presentable. This is extended to personal attire and it is customary to buy at least one new set of clothes and shoes – the perfect shopping opportunity.

You could say that the celebrations are split into three parts: before, during and after. The first part is known as charshanbe soori and is on the last Wednesday of the year. Bonfires are lit and people take turns to jump over them. It is believed that jumping over fire on this day will cleanse you of your sins.

During the New Year it is tradition to visit friends, relatives and neighbours to wish them a happy New Year and custom for the elders in the family to give the younger ones presents. These gifts are called ay dee and are often money.

An important aspect of the New Year is the table that is laid out on the eve. This is called the haft seen and comprises of seven things beginning with the letter ‘s’ in the Farsi language. Each item on the table represents something different, for example, a bowl of vinegar is placed to represent age and patience and apples laid out to symbolise beauty and health. Hard-boiled eggs are colourfully painted, sometimes one for each member of the family, and goldfish are placed in a bowl to represent life. It is said that at the exact time of the New Year, the goldfish will flinch.

However the celebrations don’t end there. 13 days later is what is known as sizdeh bedar this translates into ‘throw out the thirteenth’. Houses are left empty as people leave for the outdoors to picnic until the evening. In the past it was believed that leaving the house on this day meant that all bad luck and misfortune left with you and did not stay in the family home.

The New Year is a national holiday spent with family and friends away from the daily stresses of life. At its end, school and work resumes and the New Year is commenced with a clean house, new clothes, strengthened family ties, and with the joy of renewal.

Sale no mobarak/happy New Year.

painted eggs

Invictus

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to see Invictus. Was it a sports film or a political drama? Well it’s both and the two genre’s work surprisingly well side by side.

Actor turned director, Clint Eastwood, once again proves himself as a competent storyteller with his film about Nelson Mandela’s struggle for a united post-apartheid state having just been elected South Africa’s President.

Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, uses the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a tool to promote racial harmony across South Africa with the aid of the national rugby team, the Springboks. A bulked up Matt Damon plays the team captain, Francois Pienaar, whose conservative outlook is cracked by Mandela’s optimism.

Mandela invites Pienaar to tea, joins the rugby team in training and famously strides on to the pitch at the South Africa v New Zealand final wearing the same Springboks shirt that a year earlier was a divisive symbol of the old nation.

He writes out a copy of ‘Invictus’ (the poem by WE Henley that helped to sustain Mandela during his 27 years in prison) to Pienaar in his bid to boost the team’s morale. Its lines declare: “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” Words that surely bring hope to even the most cynical and leaves Pienaar astonished at the idea that they can dare to dream about winning the World Cup.

Matt Damon employs, at least to an outsider’s ear, an impressive accent, and manages to blend in beautifully with his fellow players.

Critics have called it “naïve” in its belief that sport can unite or heal a nation, but I see it as a moving tribute to a genuinely great humanitarian. It’s not often that a film can move and inspire so much even after leaving the cinema. A must-see.

Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes

Guy Ritchie’s latest blockbuster is doing very well in the movie charts currently at number two in the UK, beaten only by James Cameron’s massive hit - Avatar. However if you are expecting to see something similar to Snatch or Lockstock, you may be disappointed.

Guy Ritchie - famous for his nonchalant approach to narrative - adopts a more conventional storytelling style in Sherlock Holmes. Only when he flashes a trademark freeze frame do u realise that this is his film.

The classic British detective, played by Robert Downey Jr, is given a new lease of life in a medium which has previously been accused of cheapening the original books. Credit is due to Ritchie for his unconventional portrayal of Holmes and his successful attempt at broadening his usual demographic - even though this may come at the expense of his gangster-loving fans.

Sherlock Holmes seems to be an attempt to branch out and attract a wider audience and it looks like it’s working, given the amount of money it has already made in ticket sales. It is probably safe to say that many of those tickets were bought by women – a new audience that Ritchie has gained thanks to his aesthetically pleasing male leads. That is not to say that Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr just provide eye candy, their performances are also worthy of a mention. Jude Law is particularly good as Dr Watson.

The film has a restless quality that keeps you on your toes and makes the 128 minutes fly by. Ritchie proves to be a competent teller of this classic tale and does well mixing danger with humour making it a film worth seeing.

Shah Abbas

The British Museum’s latest exhibition is on Shah ‘Abbas, the 17th century ruler of Iran, or as it was then known, Persia. It is the third in a series examining empire and power in different parts of the globe and follows exhibitions on the First Emperor of China and the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Aptly named, Shah ‘Abbas, the Remaking of Iran, the exhibition demonstrates the transformation of Iran into the centre of international trade and cultural exchange, and also explores the social, religious and artistic influence of the Shah during his reign from 1587 to 1629. It focuses on four key sites which Shah ‘Abbas transformed or embellished as public statements of royal power including Isfahan which he made into his new capital and which to this day remains a cultural attraction.

The exhibition, in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation, features extraordinary loans, never before seen outside of Iran, alongside loans from Europe and the US, including luxurious gold-ground carpets, exquisite Chinese porcelains, illustrated manuscripts and watercolour paintings.

“Shah ‘Abbas was restless, decisive, ruthless and intelligent. This exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to learn about this important ruler. Shah ‘Abbas was a critical figure in the development of Iran and his legacy is still with us today.” Sheila Canby, curator of the exhibition.

The exhibition is on till the 14th June 2009 and you can book tickets online at www.britishmuseum.org

'just right'

He is a singer, songwriter and producer. He will be 31 in September of this year. He graduated from Harvard University at the age of 19 and has so far had over 14 million hits on You Tube.

His first major breakthrough was with the song, “Me & U” by singer Cassie which he wrote, produced, and recorded in his living room. It became number three on the American billboard charts and also topped the charts in the U.K, getting lots of airplay and growing to be one of the biggest singles of 2005.

Even though Ryan Leslie has produced and written songs for many famous artists including Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Snoop Dogg, the Harlem based singer has yet to reach the masses in this country. However that is all about to change because this RnB sensation has finally made his mark, in a big way.

His self-titled debut album, which was released in February this year, is already a hit in America, so much so that the Virgin Megastore in New York ran out of copies seven minutes after it went on sale.

After years of having only You Tube as a source of his music, I am honoured to finally review his first album, and it is safe to say that it is by no means a disappointment. In fact it has taken the position as one of my favourite albums, and that is no mean feat. Leslie shares the smooth tone of John Legend and the soul of Robin Thicke, as a producer he has also been compared to The Neptunes. But it is unfair to compare him because in some ways he is in a league of his own. With strong lyrics and original beats, his sound is like no other artist around at the moment.

There are 12 songs on his album and each one shows off his skills as a gifted artist that up to now has been criminally under-rated. He has something to offer most people with hints of soul and a little rap to accompany his RnB sound. The second track on his album, Addiction, features Cassie and rapper Fabolous and has become a big hit with many fans posting re-makes of their own versions on You Tube. Other songs on the album have a softer sound such as Just Right, which was the first Ryan Leslie song that I heard a good few years ago and was ultimately what made me fall in love with him.

His work is unique and stands out as real talent, for when others sing over a generic pop, Leslie does everything himself even down to playing the instruments.  

Next time you’re online check out his work on www.ryanleslie.com where you can listen to his album.

The Guinness book of records is known for its outrageous entries with everything from the most piercings on a face to the longest kiss. And now the longest ear hair in the world has also got a piece of the pie.

Radhakant Baijpai from India has his incredible ear follicles to thank for breaking the record which was last set by someone in 2003.

The 58 year old grocer sprouts an amazing 25cm, in length from his ears, and still growing. Having suffered taunts for years he now regards his furry ears as a symbol of luck and prosperity: “Before people would tease me, not maliciously, but still would ask me why my I never cut my ear hair. Now I tell people with pride about the good fortune that my hair has brought me.”

Radhakant Baijpai

I went out onto to the streets of Angel, Islington to see what lengths the people of London are prepared to go to in order to get into the infamous book.

What would you do to get in the Guinness book of records?

First runner up - Miss California

This week America watched as 12 women became one when they competed live on television for the ultimate prize – yes, I am talking about the Miss USA pageant of course!

Filled with the usual bikini-clad, ‘world peace wishing’ Barbie girls, this year also brought along with it, an extra element – controversy.

At the all-important questions round, contestant, Miss California was asked what she thought about gay marriage and her answer has caused outrage and evoked debate throughout America.

Carrie Prejean, lost out in the final to Miss North Carolina and many believe it was down to her politically incorrect views, but when asked if she would change her answer given the chance, she replied: “I have no regrets about answering honestly. He asked me for my opinion and I gave it to him. I have nothing against gay people, and I didn’t mean to offend anyone in my answer”.

Click here to watch the moment they have all been talking about.

We have all heard of the state the economy is in, its not pretty. However that does not not mean retail therapy should end altogether.

Here are some credit crunch busting tips to help in the current times of hardship. 

DO

• Go for timeless pieces that can be worn again and again
• Wear layers as they can transform an outfit in an instant and can make it look totally new
• Remember that cardigans are a staple closet item, they look trendy, keep you warm and are incredibly versatile
• Invest in essentials that will last for years – black trousers never go out of style
• Rummage through your parents old clothes, you never know what vintage gems you may find
• Shop online with promotional codes that can get you up to 30% off
• Do customise old clothes for recycled chic.

DON’T

• Feel that you always have to follow trends, stick to what suits your shape and your budget
• Forget your student card as a lot of high street stores will give you a student discount
• Spend lots of money on socks – you can get 7 pairs for £2 at Primark
• Be afraid to wear something more than once
• Think that because something is on sale it’s a good buy – there is usually a reason why nobody has bought it
• Be afraid to shop second hand, it’s cheap and will give you a unique look

Doing a 'Gwynnie'

Crying at award ceremonies is nothing new – in fact a few tears are almost compulsory when accepting an award – and the 66^th annual Golden Globe awards did not let us down on that front.

It was a good year for British films, with Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire winning all of the awards it was nominated for. However, it was Actress Kate Winslet that really stole the limelight. She won best actress for Revolutionary Road and best supporting actress for The Reader, but unfortunately found it difficult when it came to the speeches to get her words out from crying. Winslet apologised to her fellow nominees for winning and asked “Is this really happening?” as she picked up the award for best actress for Revolutionary Road. She explained that she has a habit of not winning, perhaps the reason why she rambled on for so long, four minutes to be exact.

Her tears, however, are not the first but just the latest in a long line of Hollywood’s gushing outbursts at award bashes. Before her, the term ‘doing a Gwynnie’ was associated with a dramatic speech after Gwyneth Paltrow’s outburst in 1999. She was barely able to talk at the Oscars when she wept her way through her best actress speech for Shakespeare in Love. Her emotional monologue saw her thanking as many people as she could remember.

It’s touching when you see someone awarded for something they truly deserve. But after watching a ten minute passionate speech followed by a standing ovation from the crowd you could be forgiven for thinking these actors had found the cure for cancer. 

When you see Muhammad Yunus being awarded a Nobel peace Prize for his efforts to create economic and social development in impoverished areas of the world, an academy award just seems so inconsequential.