Nowruz celebrated in Washington D.C.

11:51, 25 March 2012

WASHINGTON. March 25. KAZINFORM On March 17, Nowruz Commission hosted a black tie gala at the historic building of the Organization of American States to celebrate the arrival of Spring. The event was supported by the Embassies of Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and various Central Asian countries.

The guests - U.S. officials, congressmen, diplomats, business executives and academics - praised the exhibit of Kazakhstan, which presented items of traditional clothing, music and books, as well as educational information about the traditions of the holiday Nowruz in Kazakhstan, the News Bulletin of the Kazakh Embassy to the US reads. .

Along with ours, exhibits by Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Turkey also beautifully decorated a Chaikhana, or tea-house, where a local dance group "Silk Road" performed magnificent folk dances.

A documentary about the Nowruz Commission was screened. The Commission carries out humanitarian projects in Afghanistan, supporting young people and orphans. The Nowruz Commission co-founders stressed the importance of Nowruz in strengthening friendship between peoples, as well as the preservation of the ancient traditions of Nowruz -- giving, caring and "rebirth of friendship.

Ambassador Erlan Idrissov, co-founder of the Nowruz Commission, said Nowruz fosters positive attitudes toward friends, relatives, colleagues and others. In other words, during Nowruz, people stick to "good thoughts," "good words" and "good deeds," he said.

For Kazakhs, like the citizens of many other Eurasian nations, spring is the time of hope and the beginning of a new cycle of life. It is marked by the observance of the New Year, called Nowruz (in Kazakh, it is pronounced "Nauriz"). In Persian, it means "New Day" and marks the beginning of the calendar year, which occurs on the vernal equinox in March.

It is an ancient custom that at Nowruz, Kazakhs try to be as nice and forthcoming to others and true to themselves as possible by:

Asking for forgiveness for their wrongdoings;
Paying their debts;
Reviving themselves spiritually;
Reconciling with relatives and friends.

Nowruz is the time for family and friends to celebrate, cherish the past memories and anticipate a better year. Observers typically pay visits to relatives' homes, enjoy delicious food and gather around a table to exchange gifts. Although core Nowruz festivities in Kazakhstan take place on March 21-23, the spirit of the holiday prevails among the public for the entire month.

"Nowruz kozhe" is the main dish to be served during the festivities. It is a thick soup that must be made from seven ingredients which symbolize the main food groups for Kazakhs. The number seven is considered to be sacred and lucky by Kazakhs.

Diplomacy Culture Foreign policy