On Nowruz TURKSOY Secretary General gave a souvenir with best wishes to President Barack Obama

The main organizer of the event is the Nowruz Celebration Commission, one of whose founders is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yerlan Idrisov, reports the press service of the Kazakh Embassy in the United States.
Those who took part in the reception, the U.S. officials, the congressmen, diplomats, business and academic circles highly appreciated the separate "corner of the Kazakh culture," presenting the items of national Kazakh clothing and everyday life, books, and educational booths with information about the traditions of the holiday Nowruz in Kazakhstan, Astana city new buildings and the documentary about Kazakhstan.

During the official part there was a presentation of the Commission, which carries out humanitarian projects in Afghanistan and other states, providing medical and financial assistance to children. Speakers of the arrangement focused on the importance of the spring festival in strengthening of friendship and unity of the peoples, and to maintain the traditions of Nowruz.

Kazakhstan's Ambassador to the U.S. Kairat Umarov told of how this festival is celebrated in Kazakhstan, and shared his thoughts about the rich unifying philosophy of Nowruz.

In recognition of the successful cooperation with the Commission, the Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture TURKSOY Dusen Kaseinov handed souvenirs to the organizers. He also gave a souvenir with best wishes on the occasion of the spring festival to U.S. President Barack Obama.

Gala reception was followed by performances of professional musicians from Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Azerbaijan. Kazakhstan musicians Gulmira Amurtaeva and Samal Shaikenova living in Texas captivated the guests with such virtuoso performance of kyui (national song with dombra) and the tunes like "Ata-tolgauy", "Spring Melody" and "Talas".

In recent years, Nowruz holiday is becoming more popular in the U.S.. The first significant step towards the recognition of the holiday in the U.S. was made March 19, 2008, when the U.S. first lady Laura Bush hosted a ceremony at the White House with the participation of representatives of the states celebrating this holiday. Then the agreement had been reached on the regular celebration of Nowruz in the United States.

In 2009 President Barack Obama sent a congratulatory message marking the holiday Nowruz. In 2010. the commission was created to celebrate Nowruz, the founders of which were former Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States, Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrisov, the social activist B.Kiyan and famous philanthropist N.Kazemini. On the occasion of the Commission President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has sent a message to President Barack Obama, which expressed confidence that "the noblest work of the commission will give impetus to further strengthen the friendship between our countries."

The Commission now joins 17 countries and is continuing to succeed: the Board of Directors has been created with the Chairman of the US-Kazakhstan Business Association U. Will and the Advisory Board as well, consisting of the Secretary General of TURKSOY D.Kaseinov, the President of the Kazakh-American Association D. Nurmagambet. In 2012 the geography of the Commission expanded by involving community leaders in several countries (UK, Italy, Turkey, Georgia, and Tajikistan) to promote the celebration of Nowruz in these countries.