Navruz is considered one of the oldest holidays of the peoples of Central Asia and the Middle East. UNESCO included it in the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, and March 21 was declared the International Day of Navruz by the UN. We tell the story of this unusual holiday, which united national cultures of different countries.

The Assembly also invited interested Member States, the United Nations, in particular its relevant specialized agencies, funds and programmes, mainly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and interested international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations, to participate in the events held by States where Navruz is celebrated.

Navruz plays a significant role in strengthening ties between peoples on the basis of mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good-neighborliness. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which have spread in the context of mutual exchange of human values.

The celebration of Navruz signifies the affirmation of life in harmony with nature, awareness of the inextricable link between creative labor and nature's cycles of renewal, and a caring and respectful attitude to the natural sources of life.

Where is this holiday celebrated?

Navruz is celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. In Russia, this holiday is popular in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan and Dagestan. In ancient times it was celebrated over 53 days, but now the length of the feast days varies from one in Russia to three in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and even thirteen in Iran.

In Iranian and Turkic-speaking regions where this holiday is widespread, its name sounds differently: Navruz, Novruz, Nooruz, Nauryz. In addition to different names, each country has its own traditions of this holiday. For example, in Azerbaijan a lot of sweets are put on the table - these are traditional baklava and shekerbura. In Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan it is obligatory to congratulate each other with welcoming words.

How is Navruz celebrated?

People start preparing for Navruz several weeks before the holiday, four weeks to be exact. During this time a person should return all his debts, clean up the house and clear his thoughts before the spring renewal, as well as prepare ingredients for festive dishes.Traditions of celebrating Navruz have not changed much during its centuries-old history. People prepare for the holiday thoroughly in advance: they organize general cleaning in houses, yards and streets, wash all available clothes, pay off debts. On the eve of the holiday before sunrise it is necessary to complete all the preparatory work: cooking festive dishes, cleaning the house and decorating the rooms with flowering tree branches.The most important day of the holiday - the first, March 21. On this day it is customary to set a festive table and treat all acquaintances, neighbors and every person you meet with "New Year" viands, the main of which are halisa and sumalyak (they are prepared only once a year - on Navruz). Khalisa is made of seven kinds of cereals with the addition of meat, and everything is boiled to a homogeneous mass. Sumalyak is made of sprouted wheat grain with flour and sugar.

National games are another tradition of Navruz. The most spectacular ones are Gushtingiri (National Wrestling) and Buzkashi (Goat Wrestling). National wrestling by rules reminds something of Judo, but here it is not allowed to fight on the ground. The winner is the one who falls the opponent on both blades. Winners during the whole year will wear the title of "Pahlavon" - local Bogatyr. And goat racing, a game that can be seen only in spring, gathers hundreds of riders from all regions of the republic. Before taking part in the races, you should train your horse long and thoroughly. The main rule - the rider, without getting off the horse, must pick up the carcass of a goat and take it to the target. But at that moment, all other participants must prevent this from happening. You can count only on your agility, strength and skill, which is honed over the years. The main motivation of all players is an expensive prize. It can be a horse, a car or a handmade carpet.

Navruz is also accompanied by good deeds. As much as they can, people of the country help the needy, organize money collection and organize charity festivals for low-income families and orphans from orphanages.

Navruz comes into its rights and in these days people really become kinder and brighter, every soul rushes to its true roots, to nature, rejoices in every green grass and bug, in a word - with all its soul loves life and its own, and the New that is blossoming around.

Abdieva D.H. – c.m.s., associate professor of the department of dermatovenerology named after Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, doctor of medical sciences, professor Zoirov P.T., of SEI "Avicenna Tajik State Medical University"

translated Ismoilov R.