International Day of Nowruz

Novruz is annually celebrated the Persian New Year in the beginning of spring. Do you know what the meaning of Nowruz, Nauryz or Nevruz is? Their meaning are new day for more than 300 million people around the world, and similiar to celebrations in some parts of Asia and from Southeast Europe to the Caucasus and Ural Mountain Range.

International Day of Nowruz takes place on March 21, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Nowruz celebrations include a series of rituals, ceremonies, traditional games, special dishes, performances and other cultural events that take place over a period of about two weeks. At first, 6 countries had inscribed Nowruz onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009. The countries that have jointly registered Nowruz are: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

Many parties, celebrations, ceremonies and performances are central to Nowruz celebrations. It has affected to the ability of many communities to practice and enjoy their living heritage as they often do due to the epidemic. However, in spite of its limitations, communities have found new ways to come together and celebrate Nowruz. While gatherings around the 'Table' can be restricted in the tradition, many communities have used digital technology to celebrate. In times of crisis, such traditions and festive events aim to bring people together, underline our need for social connection in turbulent times and contribute to unity and community cohesion.

Carriers and practitioners have responded to the pandemic in several ways:

• For example, in Azerbaijan, an online campaign was launched in 2020 with the hashtag #NoViruzGelir. This is a pun in which "Novruz gelir", meaning "Nowruz is coming", is associated with an angina that sounds like "No Virus Comes". The purpose of this campaign, which can be viewed on YouTube, is to encourage people to stay positive by carrying the message that the presence of Nowruz will stop the virus from spreading.
• In the Islamic Republic of Iran, a year after the outbreak of the pandemic, people are still encouraged to respect social distancing, with authorities fully aware of Nowruz's importance to many Iranians. New technologies are increasingly used to connect human with human as well as celebrate the holiday with their love around the world.
• In Kazakhstan, the National Commission of UNESCO is holding a webinar on youth and protection of the Nowruz tradition on March 26. While physical celebrations cannot take place this year, the webinar will enable the transmission of knowledge across generations, between young people and their elders. The UNESCO field office in Almaty has also commissioned comics to celebrate Nowruz 2021. The comic depicts Nowruz festivals from different countries in the region, encouraging children to participate in their ICH in a way Different ways.