Nowruz,
"New Day" is a traditional ancient festival which celebrates the start
of the Persian New year and it is the most joyful festival for Iranians. Nowruz
marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the New Year in Persian
calendar.
It
is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually
occurs on March 21 or the preceding/following day depending on where it is
observed.
The
moment the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is
calculated exactly every year and families gather together to observe the
rituals.
As
far as records go, Nowruz has been, either in fact or by intention, a
celebration of early spring, when the sun begins to regain strength and
overcome winter's cold and darkness and when there is a renewal of growth and
vigor in nature.
Nowruz
is celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious
backgrounds for thousands of years. It originated in Persia (IRAN) in one of
the capitals of Achaemenid Empire and is also celebrated by the cultural region
that came under Iranian influence or had Persian migrants including Azerbaijan,
Kurdish inhabited regions of Turkey, Iraq and Syria, Western Afghanistan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as other scattered populations
mainly in Central Asia and around the globe.
International
Nowruz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its
resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010, at the initiative of several countries that
share this holiday including Iran(Islamic Republic of), Afghanistan, Albania,
Azerbaijan, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.
Inscribed
in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous people, Nowruz is an
ancestral festivity marking the first day of spring and renewal of nature. It
promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families
as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, thus contributing to cultural
diversity and friendship among people and different communities.
“I
am delighted to offer best wishes for a happy Nowruz to all those celebrating
around the world and to the many others who can benefit from this rich cultural
heritage.
Nowruz
is an ancient tradition with modern relevance. Its spirit of friendship,
solidarity and respect for the natural environment resonates powerfully with
the values of the United Nations.
The
hundreds of millions of people around the world who observe this holiday
represent a vast range of human experience. Their traditions are richly
diverse, producing a tapestry of cultural expressions and symbols.
The
myriad Nowruz commemorations in our world share a common reverence for the
renewal that comes with the Spring Equinox. All people may draw inspiration
from this sense of fresh possibility.
Nowruz
transcends national borders, religious divides and other differences to unite
communities with bonds of goodwill.
Such
common purpose can help humanity rise to this moment in history.
Let
us enable all people who celebrate Nowruz to celebrate with joy and meaning –
and let us spread its essential message of hope and renewal around the world.”
Ban
Ki-moon, UN Secretary General
"On
the auspicious occasion of Nowruz, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes
of joy to everyone who celebrates Nowruz.
Rooted
in Iranian culture, Nowruz which dates back to 7000 years ago; celebrates the
renewal of nature and the start of Persian New Year.
On
behalf of Iranian healthcare professionals, I wish joy, peace and prosperity
for everyone in the coming new Persian year.
Happy
Nowruz."
Dr.
Alireza Zali, IRIMC President
Dr.
Shima Naghavi, Director of International Affairs