The US State Department has hosted an event celebrating Novruz
spring feast. The celebration was organized by the embassies of
Turkiye, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
and Tajikistan in the U.S. as well as non-governmental organization
“Global Partners of the American Foreign Service” at the the
initiative of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington, D.C, Azernews
reports.
The large-scale event brought together US officials, diplomats
of embassies accredited in the US, as well as community
representatives, was moderated by Shalala Valiyeva, a scholar in
law studies and PhD student at the American University, Washington,
DC.
In her remarks, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman
congratulated all the peoples celebrating Novruz worldwide on
behalf of US President Joe Biden and the American people, saying
that Novruz, which is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate spring,
brings new breath to people for new opportunities.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Rebecca Zimmerman also
conveyed her congratulations on the spring feast. She hailed the
contributions of regional countries to strengthening regional
cooperation and promoting peace and stability.
Representative of the US Agency for International Development
(USAID) Anjali Kaur expressed her gratitude to the embassies for
the organization of the event. She congratulated all those living
in the regions where Novruz is widely celebrated.
In her speech, Anjali Kaur stressed that in the difficult times
we are currently experiencing, Novruz brings warmth to hearts,
promoting common values such as unity, independence and
freedom.
Next, Turan Ethnic and Folklore Ensemble (Kazakhstan) thrilled
the audience with the traditional music of the organizing
countries.
The participants familiarized themselves with the Azerbaijani
culture traditions and tasted delicious dishes of the national
cuisine.
The event also featured the national dances of each country
performed by the US Silk Road Dance Group.
Noting that, Novruz is widely celebrated as the symbol of
winter’s leaving and spring’s coming.
The holiday starts either 20th March or 21st March, on the
spring equinox, when the days and nights are equal lengths.
Azerbaijani people celebrate four pre-holiday Tuesdays before
the spring festival. Each Tuesday is dedicated to the awakening of
one of nature’s elements: Su Chershenbesi (Water Tuesday), Od
Chershenbesi (Fire Tuesday) Yel Chershenbesi (Wind Tuesday) and
Torpaq Chershenbesi (Earth or Last Tuesday).
On September 30, 2009, Novruz was included in UNESCO’s List of
Intangible Cultural Heritage. On February 23, 2010, the UN declared
March 21 the International Day of Novruz.
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