Novruz, a centuries-old celebration marking the arrival of spring, brings together multiple countries to honor peace, renewal, and cultural unity, with UNESCO recognizing it as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Novruz, a vibrant and deeply significant cultural celebration, marks the arrival of the vernal equinox and heralds the beginning of spring. Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Novruz is celebrated in multiple countries across the region, including Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. The holiday has a rich history that spans over 4,000 years, reflecting the diverse cultures and traditions of the people who celebrate it.
Novruz: A Regional Celebration
The festivities for Novruz recently took place at UNESCO's headquarters, where the Permanent Missions of several countries came together to organize a vibrant event. The Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, highlighted the spiritual importance of Novruz, underscoring its themes of peace, solidarity, and cultural identity. These values, passed down through generations, serve as the foundation for the celebration, which unites people across borders.
UNESCO's Deputy Director-General, Xing Qu, and Director-General Audrey Azoulay also spoke on the significance of Novruz, emphasizing how the holiday serves as a bridge between cultures and symbolizes hope for the future. The event featured traditional music and dance performances, showcasing the unique customs of each participating country. A video highlighting Novruz practices from various regions, along with a banquet of traditional dishes, added to the cultural immersion.
Traditions and Symbolism
Novruz’s celebrations are deeply rooted in ancient traditions. The holiday marks more than just the arrival of spring—it represents renewal, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness. In Azerbaijan and other regions, the lead-up to Novruz is filled with rich customs, particularly the honoring of the last four Tuesdays of winter. Each Tuesday is dedicated to one of the four essential elements—Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth—each carrying its own symbolic meaning and significance in preparing for the new season.
The heart of Novruz lies in its traditions of cleansing, renewal, and togetherness. People clean their homes to rid them of the old year's negativity, and they prepare festive dishes such as saffron pilaf, shekerbura (sweet pastries), and pakhlava (baklava), which are shared among family and friends. On the day of Novruz itself, families gather around a table with a symbolic spread, including the seven traditional items that represent various elements of life: wheat, garlic, vinegar, apples, sumac, coins, and hyacinth.
In addition to the feasts, there are many cultural activities. From fireworks to jumping over bonfires to signify the purification of the soul, the celebrations are full of symbolic acts meant to usher in good luck and health for the coming year.
Novruz in History
The history of Novruz dates back thousands of years, with roots in Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion that arose in Persia (modern-day Iran). It has long been associated with themes of rebirth, balance, and the arrival of the new season. Over time, it has become a unifying celebration for diverse cultures across Central Asia and the Caucasus, with each region adding its own unique practices.
In recognition of its importance, UNESCO inscribed Novruz on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009, ensuring that future generations understand the significance of this ancient festival. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly further solidified Novruz's global status by declaring March 21 as International Novruz Day.
The Celebration in Istanbul
In addition to global observances, a special Novruz celebration was held in Istanbul, organized by the Turkey-Azerbaijan Solidarity and Culture Association (ISTAD). The event began with the playing of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkey, followed by a commemoration of the martyrs. Speeches were made by prominent figures, including Shamil Ayrim, Chairman of the Azerbaijan-Turkey Interparliamentary Friendship Group, and Zaur Allahverdizade, Consul of Azerbaijan’s Consulate General in Istanbul. They spoke about the long-standing traditions of Novruz, which are an integral part of the Turkic world’s shared cultural heritage.
The ceremony concluded with a concert program that brought the spirit of Novruz to life through music and dance, further reflecting the lively and joyous atmosphere of the holiday.
Novruz’s Global Significance
More than just a regional holiday, Novruz has become a symbol of cultural unity, celebrating the shared values of peace, renewal, and harmony across various nations. Its traditions continue to thrive and evolve, remaining an essential part of the cultural fabric of the countries where it is celebrated. Novruz not only connects generations but also fosters a spirit of international solidarity, bringing together people from different backgrounds to share in the warmth of the season and the promise of new beginnings.
India has finalized a $7.41 billion agreement with France to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, a defence ministry official confirmed to Reuters on Monday.
The death toll from a U.S. airstrike on a detention centre for migrants in Yemen’s northern Saada province has risen to 74, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 28th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A vehicle crashed into a crowd at a Filipino festival in Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring dozens.
SIPRI’s annual report, released Monday, said global military expenditure reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the largest year-on-year rise since the Cold War's end. This marks the tenth straight year of growth.
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
An explosion in northwest Pakistan killed six people on Monday, coinciding with intensified security operations against militants along the Afghan border.
Rescue teams in Tunisia recovered the bodies of eight African migrants after their boat sank near Sfax, with search operations continuing for potential missing persons.
India has finalized a $7.41 billion agreement with France to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, a defence ministry official confirmed to Reuters on Monday.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held a meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a limited format. The talks centered on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for increased cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
President Pezeshkian, before his first official visit to Baku, emphasized the potential for Iran-Azerbaijan cooperation in trade, science, and transport, aiming to boost ties through joint investments and regional diplomacy.
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan for an official visit on April 28.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 28th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
SIPRI’s annual report, released Monday, said global military expenditure reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the largest year-on-year rise since the Cold War's end. This marks the tenth straight year of growth.
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
An explosion in northwest Pakistan killed six people on Monday, coinciding with intensified security operations against militants along the Afghan border.
Rescue teams in Tunisia recovered the bodies of eight African migrants after their boat sank near Sfax, with search operations continuing for potential missing persons.
India has finalized a $7.41 billion agreement with France to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, a defence ministry official confirmed to Reuters on Monday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment