Tajikstan Embassy in Cairo celebrated Nowruz feast which marks the first day of Spring and the oldest celebrations of the New Year in the world.

Addressing the ceremony that was held late Sunday at the Tajiki Embassy, Ambassador Khesro Nazeri said the feast reflects a deeply-rooted culture which brings peace and hope for millions of people worldwide regardless of their political or religious affiliation. 

Nowruz is a rite dating back to at least the 6th century BCE, marking the new year and ushering in spring. Variously known as Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz or Nevruz, this historic rite is observed on 21 March in many countries along the Silk Roads, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

These annual traditions to welcome the spring have been passed on from generation to generation throughout the last millennium. Nowruz provides an opportunity not only to enjoy ancient cultural customs and traditional songs, music, dancing, rituals, foods and story-telling, but also to promote peace and solidarity within towns and communities and to strengthen deep-rooted bonds of friendship and exchange.

In recognition of the importance of this ancient rite, Nowruz was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Moreover, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March International Nowruz Day.

Source: MENA