Afghans all over the country on Thursday joined millions in other parts of the world to celebrate the ancient Nawroz festival, the start of New Persian Year which falls on the first day of spring, coinciding March 21.
The biggest celebration ceremony of the festival was held at the Blue Mosque in northern Balkh province where thousands of people from around the country gathered with President Ashraf Ghani as main speaker of the event. At this event, outlined the historic importance of Nawroz and its benefit that the Afghans can use for promoting unity.
Afghans celebrate Nawroz according to their local traditions. But in Balkh and Kabul, the festival is started by Janda Bala, flag hoisting ceremony.
Afghans celebrate Nawroz according to their local traditions. But in Balkh and Kabul, the festival is started by Janda Bala, flag hoisting ceremony.
The ancient Persian festival is also marked by hundreds of millions of people in several countries in Asia including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iran.
On occasion of Nawroz, Afghans across the nation expressed their hope that this year will bring a lasting peace to the country – which is suffering from war and violence for the past four decades.
“We want lasting peace to be ensured in the country so that the people can celebrate this ancient festival in a peaceful environment,” said Noorullah, a Kabul resident.
“We want lasting peace to be ensured in the country so that the people can celebrate this ancient festival in a peaceful environment,” said Noorullah, a Kabul resident.
“We came here (in Balkh) from Kabul to celebrate the Milla-e-Gul-e-Surkh, the red rose party, in Mazar which falls days after the Nawroz festival,” said Hooria, a Kabul resident.
Residents of the eastern Nangarhar province celebrated the New Year by performing traditional dances at a gathering in Jalalabad city.
Residents of the eastern Nangarhar province celebrated the New Year by performing traditional dances at a gathering in Jalalabad city.
“People are very happy. We saw some beautiful scenes,” said Tawfiq, a Nangarhar resident.
Kandahar residents, in the south of Afghanistan, also flocked to picnic points where they enjoyed the arrival of spring.
“People in Kandahar are very happy on the holidays,” said Mohammad Rasul, a Kandahar resident.
Residents of Herat in the west of Afghanistan celebrated the day by organizing music and poetry gatherings.
Residents of Herat in the west of Afghanistan celebrated the day by organizing music and poetry gatherings.
“This is an ancient festival. Herat has been the hub of Nawroz celebrations during the course of history,” said Arif, a resident of Herat.
“Women were not able to accompany men in celebrating such festivals in the past, but now they are also able to celebrate the festivals together,” said Nooria, a Herat resident.
“Women were not able to accompany men in celebrating such festivals in the past, but now they are also able to celebrate the festivals together,” said Nooria, a Herat resident.
March 21 Nawroz Day in UN Calendar
International Nawroz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010, at the initiative of several countries that share this holiday.
International Nawroz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010, at the initiative of several countries that share this holiday.
Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous peoples, Nawroz is an ancestral festivity marking the first day of spring and the renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities.
In 2009, Nawroz was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In 2009, Nawroz was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Nawroz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on 21 March.
It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
