Picnic A major distractions at the weekend in Iran is irrefutably sacrosanct picnic.
Every Friday morning, the great seasonal migration of city dwellers began to mountains or surrounding countryside, and little by little, the best places are covered with tents and Zilous (large plastic mats to protect floor ).
The picnic here is much more than just a chance to take the air is also a way for the Iranians to talk, listen to music, dancing sometimes also free of any pressure.
course I can only subscribe to this ritual, but technically I am really struggling to understand why some of them choose the most unlikely places for a picnic (and this is clearly not escape the surveillance of "Pasdaran").
Anything goes: the side of a dusty road, the asphalt burning a parking, and even the middle of a motorway interchange (you know .. no man's land beset in the pathways).
And the winner is .... Happy Nowruz Once is not custom, I will do in the news. As you probably know the Iranians will choose a new president on June 12 this year. This president has the nation's destiny in the hands for the next 4 years ... well .... not only in his own hands.
is that the power here, is dissolved in the many political, military and religious leaders. The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran has, for example, no or little control over the defense or the court system, these two parts of the system are the prerogatives of the "Supreme Guide of the Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei.
But back to our candidates ...
Little chance of having a candidate wacky (although Mahmoud, ...), a "Council of Guardians" (religious body appointed by the Supreme Leader) validates each record , and removes the most doubtful cases (football player, or the village idiot ... more unreasonable: women or reformers, ...). Briefly about 450 cases, only 4 were selected.
They were much more likely 4 years ago, which thoroughly split the vote and led to the surprise election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (perhaps a limited number of candidates this year.)
The contenders are:
- A religious reformer (but not too much), Mehdi Karroubi
-
A moderate conservative, Mir Hossein Mousavi (probably the main opponent of 'Ahmadinejad) 
- An ultraconservative, Mohsen Rezaie (former home of the "Pasdaran" religious police, a whole program ...)
-
A conservative fundamentalist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, himself, who is seeking a second term.
short, you see, a panel of the largest ....
Come on, I'll play a little apprentice forecasters: Who will the next president of the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Bein unfortunatly, I think it will. ... More Mahmoud!
Although reviled in intellectual circles in Tehran, it is extremely magnified in rural Iran with its hyper populist politics. Casually, in 4 years, he managed to squander all the oil money in direct subsidies to small farmers, ... regardless of whether the country is now short of liquidity, and inflation is one of the largest in the world. With this policy, it has around 50% of voting intentions in the first round of the polls (but I doubt the veracity of some Iranian polls).
Besides the "Supreme Guide" supports almost officially, so ... .. the sermon is written (so to speak).
The Iranian New Year is celebrated on the first day of spring, is a legacy of the Zoroastrian calendar that the arrival of Islam did not upset. The celebration takes place over several days, and follows a well-established ritual ... and a little too complex (see Wikipedia link ).
This period is probably the best time of year for Iranians : This is a rare opportunity to go out into the streets for a truly festive event, short ... the atmosphere is much lighter than usual.
Simply put, "Nowruz" is a bit "new year", "14 July" and "great August holidays" from our meeting at the same time. Vendors intersections swap their usual trinkets by firecrackers that will be misused yesterday, the storefronts are adorned with traditional decorations (candles, painted eggs, wheat germ, ...), and many people enjoy 2 weeks vacation data in large jurisdictions to see their families in the provinces. Even the mayor of Tehran is trying to decorate a little town for the occasion.
One of the traditions most surprising is the appearance a few days before New Year people all dressed in red and black with made-up face. They are called "Haji Pirûz" they symbolize the end and rebirth of the year. These characters roam the streets, dancing and a happy New Year chat with tambourine in hand. Many give them a passing or 2 tickets in exchange for their good wishes.
For me, "Nowruz" is as beautiful mess at the airport when everybody goes to Tehran at the same time. The religious police is overwhelmed because of the crowds, and eventually pass unchecked baggage ... in short, a good time to bypass censorship.
