SAEDNEWS: The National Iranian Ash Festival as the largest food festival in Iran, is a chance for Iranians of all different ethnic groups, cultures, and languages to share their own way of cooking local foods with their compatriots.
Since 2005, the National Iranian Ash Festival has celebrated one of Iran’s most beloved traditional dishes while showcasing the country’s rich ethnic diversity. Held annually at the Gavazang (El Daghi) Recreational Center in Zanjan, this vibrant four-day festival draws chefs, artisans, and food enthusiasts from across Iran—and this year, even from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and India—to showcase over 14 types of Ash and other regional specialties.
Ash, a slow-cooked, hearty Persian soup made with chickpeas, beans, noodles, and fresh herbs, is more than food—it’s culture on a plate. Each ethnic group brings its own recipes, adding meat, yogurt, garlic, dried herbs, nuts, and fruits, creating a kaleidoscope of flavors. Afghan, Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Caucasian cuisines also feature variations of this dish, showing its regional influence beyond Iran.
The festival is not only a food lover’s paradise but a national gathering of Iran’s ethnic groups, highlighting their colorful traditional clothing, dances, and crafts. Visitors can watch Kurdish folk dances, Sistan and Baluchistan stick dances, and women baking traditional breads in nomadic-style tents, creating a living museum of Iran’s cultural heritage.
Why Ash? Its preparation requires collaboration—from gathering ingredients to cooking and serving—making it a symbol of friendship, community, and shared joy. Iranians have long cooked Ash on both festive occasions and during times of mourning, reflecting the dish’s deep social and cultural significance.
The festival draws inspiration from ancient Iranian harvest and thanksgiving ceremonies, where communities celebrated successful crops and seasonal blessings with food, music, and dance. Today, the Ash Festival carries on this tradition with a modern twist, blending culinary artistry, cultural performances, and friendly competitions.
From tasting the diverse flavors of Ash to exploring handicrafts, listening to folk music, and watching traditional dances, the National Iranian Ash Festival is a full sensory experience. Winners are celebrated for their culinary skills, craftsmanship, and creativity, making the festival both a competition and a celebration of Iran’s shared heritage.
The National Iranian Ash Festival proves that in Iran, food is never just food—it’s a bridge across generations, communities, and cultures, bringing people together in a celebration of unity, creativity, and joy.
![Gahar Lake: The Turquoise Jewel Hidden in Iran’s Zagros Mountains [VIDEO]](https://en.saednews.com/storage/files/post/825dbcff-77b8-437c-bcf7-38458d07be5c-ZKhlCwpYntzSzGtO/circle-image.jpg)
