According to BBC News Persian, Nowruz has been celebrated by diverse communities for thousands of years — in Western and Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea region and the Balkans and South Asia.
It is the most important annual festivity in Iran and is shared by Iranians of different ethnicities, languages and religious beliefs.
Recorded in front of 120 guests at the iconic Radio Theatre in the BBC's London Broadcasting House, the show brings a blend of music performed by nine renowned singers and performers from Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, along with 35 other musicians, says BBC News Persian. The BBC News Persian TV audiences are treated to exclusive premieres of four beautiful compositions of Persian songs.
According to BBC News Persian, most of the artists and performers in the gala are women from diverse backgrounds and countries. These include the rising young pop star, Emma and Hoora — the first female performer from Iran's remote region of Sistan and Balochistan. The BBC's Nowruz celebration also features an appearance by legendary Iranian actor, Alireza Mojallal, known for his roles of historic characters.
BBC News Persian adds as part of the special programming, viewers will also be treated to a cooking show judged by Iranian chef-influencer Alireza Sarraf, as three Iranian celebrities team up with three BBC News Persian reporters to compete in cooking a traditional meal for Nowruz. The famous Iranian comic actor, Borzou Arjmand, will bring festive laughs to the cooking contest.
The Nowruz show will be available for watching on BBC Persian TV at 02:30 GMT on Wednesday, 20 March, and on the BBC News Persian YouTube channel.