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Nowruz 2022

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Nowruz is known as the Persian New Year celebration which begins on the spring equinox, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar.

The Haft-Sin table is an important part of Nowruz celebrations. This table is carefully set up with items, some of which will be shared with family and friends on the holiday.

A special cloth called a sofreh  is first placed on the table.

There are seven traditional (food) items that are arranged on it, including wheat, lentils or barley, flowers, dried fruit, garlic, apples and vinegar. Each item is a symbol of spring and renewal.

Live goldfish symbolizing new life are sometimes included on the table. Other items include eggs for fertility, coins for prosperity and a mirror for reflection.

This year, Middle Eastern Cultural Programs has collaborated with Iranian Cultural Organization and student association of Uconn to hold a Nowruz celebration at room#330-331, Student Union from 7:00 pm-10:00 pm. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, those interested in attending this event must register electronically through a link.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nowruz-event-2022-uconn-tickets-262139826277

We have invited live Persian musicians and a singer as well as Persian dance group and DJ. We will also be serving Persian traditional food for our guests.

COVID_19 regulations, such as wearing a mask and social distancing, must be followed at all times during the event.

Apply Soon: Receive Up to $1000 Through MECP Co-Funding Program

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MECP Co-Funding Program

The MECP is proud to announce the launch of our inaugural Co-Funding Program, which serves to advance diversity and inclusion on campus. Students and faculty can receive up to $1000 from the Middle Eastern Cultural Programs (MECP) to help with co-funding or co-sponsoring projects.

Projects should be related to Middle Eastern cultures and can include research, artwork, or workshops. All undergraduate students, graduate students, and UConn faculty/ staff members are eligible to apply for this fund.

The goals of this program include:

  1. Encourage non-Middle Eastern students and faculty to work on projects that are related to Middle Eastern cultures.
  2. Support Middle Eastern students and faculty to share their cultures through academic projects open to everyone on campus.
  3. Help undergraduate and graduate students to develop interest in Middle Eastern cultures and to build connections for their future careers.

Instructions:

  1. The proposal should be less than 1000 words in a pdf format.
  2. The proposal must include these sections:
    • A summary about your project
    • How would this fund support your project
    • How is it related to Middle Eastern cultures
  3. Send your proposal to mecp@uconn.edu with “MECP Co-Funding Proposal” as the subject.
  4. The deadline for this program is December 31st.

New: Become an MECP Cultural Ambassador

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Do you enjoy meeting new people and learning about other cultures? If the answer is yes, then you may be a great fit for the MECP’s Cultural Ambassadors Program.

The MECP’s Cultural Ambassador Program seeks to foster cultural exchange at UConn by pairing Middle Eastern international students with US-born students. Ambassadors engage in cross-cultural mentoring that involves an ongoing, intentional, and mutually enriching relationship with someone of a different nationality, working together with other Ambassadors to organize events that highlight aspects of their respective culture and everyday experience.

Our MECP Cultural Ambassadors are a family. Together we watch movies, go grocery shopping, dissect American slang, grab dinner, and share tips and tricks. Click here to become an Ambassador today.