# Painting
Persians have had an enduring tradition of celebrating life through singing and dancing (despite the Islamic conquest and following suppressive regimes). They have managed to proudly hold on to their Noruz (New Day) celebration, which has its roots in Zoroastrianism. Celebrated at the spring equinox, Noruz and the arrival of spring is seen as a victory over darkness; arrival of the new year and birth of a new life. In Dance Prayer the Persian women in their traditional clothing, all are facing away (or up) almost performing some ritual. Golnaz was fascinated by how dance and prayer can almost become one and the same, one embracing or disguising the other.