Thousands flock to park to celebrate traditional festival
Attendees of all ages gathered at Moses Gate Country Park in Farnworth on Sunday, April 6, to enjoy picnics as part of Sizdah Bedar festivities, which include singing, dancing and being out in nature, especially near trees and water.
The Iranian festival is celebrated in the thirteenth day of the Norouz (Persian New Year) and holds great cultural significance.
It is a celebration of happiness, growth and renewal and many believe that staying indoors on this scared day will bring them bad luck.
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Reveller Mehran had come from Southport for the day to meet up with around 25 of his friends and family.
He explained that they hold the annual event in large parks and public spaces across the north west. He told The Bolton News that last year, they all meet up in a park in Wilmslow until 'the council had it banned.'
People could be seen playing musical instruments, cooking on barbeques and dancing in groups with their loved ones.
It was a busy day for the area as historic building Rock Hall, which sits in Moses Gate Country Park, hosted the first of three rare open days from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
According to one visitor, there were 'hundreds of cars' parked up for around a mile near the park which caused some congestion for drivers.
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