International Day of Nowruz 2023: International Day of Nowruz, observed annually on March 21, is a significant and anticipated global New Year’s celebration that occurs on the vernal equinox, heralding the advent of spring and symbolising the rebirth and renewal of nature. Over 300 million people celebrate the United Nations’ holiday declared on March 21, 2010, also known as ‘Nauryz,’ ‘Navruz,’ or ‘Nowrouz’ translated as ‘new day’ and extending back at least 3,000 years. Nonetheless, predominantly in Iran, Afghanistan, the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey, Syria, India, and Central Asia. The Nowruz Day celebration seeks to promote values of peace, friendship, and harmony in an effort to unite humanity worldwide.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NOWRUZ
Nowruz is celebrated in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East, among other regions. Its origins can be traced to Zoroastrianism, a widely practised ancient Persian religion believed to have originated around 3,000 years ago with light and fire (sustaining life) as its central focus. The Nowruz ancestral festivity promotes the strengthening of ties via values of peace, solidarity, reconciliation, neighbourliness, and mutual respect, nurturing acceptance of cultural diversity and understanding between different communities.
Pre-Persian festivities are enthusiastically ushered in by spring or home cleaning — “khooneh tekooni” Iranians, a few weeks before the actual New Year, ‘Nowruz’ festival wade off Satan and bad spirits residing in dark corners symbolising new birth, to the actual ceremony, decking on colourful new clothing for a fresh start, jumping over bonfires dubbed the ‘Chaharshanbeh Soori’ which is symbolic of burning of all negativity from the previous year and cleansing the skate for good luck and new beginnings, children bang spoons on cooking pots ‘q Nowruz is the most anticipated festival, and we must confess that it’s quite packed.
In 2010, the International Nowruz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010, under the agenda item of ‘culture of peace,’ following a request from member states of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan who prepared and introduced a draught resolution (A/64/L.30) entitled ‘International Day of Nowruz’ and just like they say, the rest is history.
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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NOWRUZ ACTIVITIES
Contribute to Spring Tidying
Soak up the spirit of the Nowruz festival by prepping advance. You could observe the spring cleaning tradition by thoroughly cleaning your home to ward off evil and adorning it with fresh blossoms.
Organize your own Set
The ‘haft-sin’ table is an integral part of the Nowruz celebrations and is typically adorned with soften (a special cloth), seven traditional food items symbolising spring and renewal — wheat, lentils or barley, flowers, dried fruit, garlic, apples and vinegar, eggs symbolising fertility, coins for prosperity, a live goldfish symbolising new life, and a mirror for reflection.
Attend the Festival
It is a 13-day event with numerous activities. Participate in the festivities and ring in the New Year in style. Sizdah be-dar — “getting rid of thirteen” — is observed by millions of people around the world on the thirteenth day of Nowruz and entails leaving the comfort of one’s home, appreciating nature, and discarding bad luck.
FIVE FACTS REGARDING INTERNATIONAL NOWRUZ DAY
#1
Nowruz is thousands of years old The over 3,000-year-old spring holiday is observed by at least 300 million individuals.
#2
Zoroastrianism is older than Christianity and Islam Nowruz is attributed to the ancient Persian religion Zoroastrianism.
#3
Nowruz marks the beginning of the Iranian New Year. This first month of the Iranian solar calendar is also known as Persian New Year.
#4
The custom of leaping over a fire signifies triumph. As fire is a symbol of illumination, goodness, and purification, it represents the triumph of good over evil.
#5
International Nowruz Day was established in 2010. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day to strengthen global connections.
WHY WE ENJOY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NOWRUZ
A. Promotes diversity and inclusion
This festival attracts spectators and devotees from all over the world to experience the culture and traditions of Iran, which foster profound understanding and oneness.
B. Urges us to maintain optimism
With the start of the New Year comes a clear slate, and the intriguing festival helps us feel alive by opening our eyes to a world of limitless possibilities and inspiring us to move forward with confidence that everything will work out.
C. It’s a tonne of joy
What is a festival without traditional music, dancing, and plenty of food? The Nowruz festival includes these and a great deal of other exciting activities, such as fire jumping and numerous tournaments.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NOWRUZ DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 21 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | March 21 | Thursday |
| 2025 | March 21 | Friday |
| 2026 | March 21 | Saturday |
| 2027 | March 21 | Sunday |
