Observed annually on March 21st, the International Day of Nowruz signifies the onset of spring in the northern hemisphere and marks the commencement of the Iranian solar year.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010, Nowruz, an ancient Persian tradition, has transcended its origins and is widely celebrated in numerous countries, particularly in the Caucasus and Central Asia. With a history spanning over 3,000 years, Nowruz festivities have been embraced in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and various other regions.

What is Nowruz?

Nowruz, which means "new day," is the Persian New Year and marks the first day of spring. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and is rooted in the traditions of the Zoroastrian religion, one of the world's oldest monotheistic faiths.

Cultural Significance

• Regions Celebrated: Central Asia, the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Western Asia, and parts of South Asia and Europe.
• Symbolism: Nowruz symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and the rejuvenation of nature. It is a time for cleaning and renewing one's home, body, and spirit.

Customs and Traditions

1. Haft-Seen Table:

   • A traditional table setting with seven symbolic items starting with the Persian letter "S" (seen).
   • Items include sabzeh (sprouted wheat or lentils), samanu (sweet pudding), senjed (dried oleaster fruit), seer (garlic), seeb (apple), somāq (sumac berries), and serkeh (vinegar).

2. Spring Cleaning:

   • Known as "khooneh tekouni," families clean their homes thoroughly to welcome the new year.

3. Fire Jumping:

   • Chaharshanbe Suri, the Wednesday before Nowruz, involves jumping over bonfires to cleanse oneself of negativity and sickness from the past year.

4. Visits and Gatherings:

   • Families and friends visit each other's homes, exchange gifts, and share meals.

5. Traditional Foods:

   • Special dishes like sabzi polo mahi (herbed rice with fish), kuku sabzi (herb frittata), and sweets like baklava and naan-e nokhodchi.

6. Public Celebrations:

   • Festivities include music, dancing, and cultural performances in parks and public spaces.

Significance in Modern Times

Nowruz is recognized for promoting values of peace, solidarity, reconciliation, and neighborliness, contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and communities.

United Nations' Recognition

The United Nations proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz to acknowledge its cultural importance and its role in promoting peace and goodwill among different communities and nations.

Countries that Celebrate Nowruz

• Iran
• Afghanistan
• Azerbaijan
• India (Parsis)
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Pakistan
• Tajikistan
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan
• Various Kurdish communities

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

In 2009, Nowruz was also inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its cultural significance and the rich heritage of the diverse communities that celebrate it.

By observing the International Day of Nowruz, the global community honors a rich cultural tradition that continues to thrive and bring people together across regions and generations.