Closure of Recreation Facilities on the Thirteenth Day of Farvardin in Several Provinces

Officials in several provinces announced the closure of recreation facilities on the thirteenth day of Farvardin (Sizdah Bedar).

Public reports indicate that recreation facilities across Iran have been closed on the thirteenth day of Farvardin (Sizdah Bedar). The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting had also reported in recent days the closure of recreational and tourism facilities in some cities for Nature Day.

Today, Monday, corresponding to the 13th of Farvardin, Iran Broadcasting reported the closure of historical and tourism sites in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, West Azerbaijan, and Sepidan in Fars on the current day. In addition to the closure of recreational and tourism facilities on the current day, all restaurants and hospitality centers in Gilan and museums in Razavi Khorasan are also closed.

According to the ancient Nowruz tradition, every year people visit parks and recreation facilities on the thirteenth day of Farvardin, which is designated as Nature Day, and spend the entire day with their families enjoying leisure, entertainment, and joy. However, today, Monday, which is Nature Day and coincides with the death of the First Imam of Shias in the month of Ramadan, local authorities announced that recreation facilities are closed due to religious mourning for the anniversary of the death of the First Imam of Shias.

Given Iran Broadcasting’s announcement regarding the closure of recreation facilities and public reports, the Interior Minister denied this news. Ahmad Vahidi, Interior Minister, claimed that the Ministry of Interior did not make any decision to close parks on Nature Day and wrote: “Let us be cautious of the enemies’ conspiracies.”

The governor of Qazvin, contrary to the Interior Minister’s denial regarding the closure of recreation facilities, stated: “The closure of parks on the thirteenth day of Farvardin is based on higher-level directives and in line with all provinces of the country.”

In response to the Interior Minister’s denial of the closure, people wrote on social networks: “This is merely to avoid responsibility for the closures.”