Qeshm, September 14, 2025 — The Europe Today: The Qeshm Free Area Organization is hosting the “Nowruz-e Darya” (New Year of the Sea) festival, a coastal celebration highlighting the Persian Gulf island’s cultural traditions while advancing sustainable development initiatives.
Azadeh Abedinzadeh, head of the organization’s cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts department, announced the event, stressing its importance in preserving local identity and promoting eco-conscious tourism.
The festival, which began on September 11 with expanded programming and more diverse content, will continue until October 22, Abedinzadeh told IRNA on Saturday. She noted that the event is being organized through close cooperation among the local community, tourism stakeholders, and cultural and media figures.
Describing “Nowruz-e Darya” as a shared cultural heritage of Persian Gulf coastal inhabitants and an ancient seafaring ritual in southern Iran, Abedinzadeh explained that residents of the region, particularly Qeshm Island, have long relied on a unique maritime calendar that regulates livelihoods and lifestyles in harmony with nature and the maritime climate.
She emphasized that the festival not only supports local communities but also contributes to sustainable development on both regional and global levels, “without harming the environment and the indigenous culture of the region.”
According to Abedinzadeh, this year marks the twentieth edition of the festival, which has become one of Qeshm Island’s most successful summer events for attracting tourists and strengthening its reputation in domestic public opinion. The festival has been held annually since the early 2000s, with a temporary pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.
