Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei laid emphasis on the crucial importance of political and economic developments in the Persian New Year, and said the Iranian people will display an epic presence in both fields this year.
    

In a televised address on the occasion of the advent of the Iranian New Year on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei extended his congratulatory message in the early minutes of the Persian calendar year of 1392 (March 2013 - March 2014).

The Leader congratulated Iranians nationwide, all Iranians who are living in different parts of the world and all other nations who celebrate Nowrouz.

Ayatollah Khamenei also wished and prayed Allah to bestow joy and happiness on the people of Iran in this New Year.

Ayatollah Khamenei further called for the Iranian nation's enthusiastic and energetic participation in the country's political and economic affairs in the New Year.

The Leader pointed to the upcoming political events in the country, the June presidential election in particular, and said, "We name the year 1392 as the Year of Political Epic and Economic Epic and hope that, God willing, economic epic and political epic will be materialized by our dear people and the country's devoted authorities this year."

For Iranians, Nowrouz is a celebration of new beginnings, a time to visit relatives and friends, and pay respect to senior family members.

Meaning 'new day,' Nowrouz is celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide on March 20.

Days before the Iranian New Year's Eve, people carefully clean their homes, go to markets and traditional bazaars to clothe themselves in new garments and assemble dainty edibles, flowers and Nowrouz ornaments, including flowers and green grass.