DUSHANBE, 26.03.2018. /NIAT “Khovar”/. On March 21, a reception organized by the SCO Secretariat took place on the occasion of International Nowruz Day — spring festival. NIAT “Khovar” has been reported by the SCO Secretariat in Beijing.

Nowruz is an international holiday that has been celebrated for thousands of years by people living in various countries covering the large territory from the Balkans and South Caucasus to Central and South Asia, as well as Russia and Western China. Nowruz signifies the revival of nature, love and triumph of life together with the expectation of a good harvest. According to an ancient legend, it also announces the dominance of light over darkness and warmth over chilliness.

From the very beginning of the reception, people could plunge themselves into a festive mood typical of spring feeling fresh and experiencing an atmosphere of the awakening and dawning of nature. Guests were welcomed with bright spring flowers and had an opportunity to see an exhibition of national arts and crafts. A bowl with sprouted wheat stood in the centre of the hall. Its bright emerald green colour symbolized the rebirth of the earth.

When the impressive sounds of the karnay, a Central Asian wind instrument, announced the beginning of the official reception, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov cordially greeted the guests and reminded them that leaving the Northern Hemisphere and crossing the equator on the vernal point, the Sun annunciates the advent of the long-awaited spring.

“Today is International Nowruz Day. For already three thousand years it has united millions of people on the planet by its intransient spiritual values and lofty aspirations. On this day, as on no other, people derive strength and inspiration in bonding with nature, and unite with a view to transforming their homes and world around them and asserting in it tolerance and creativity, mutual respect and mutual understanding”, — Rashid Alimov said, adding: “International Nowruz Day invites people to live in harmony with nature, strengthen goodwill, build reliable bridges of friendship and cooperation, develop and enrich dialogue of cultures and civilizations, and work together for a safe and prosperous future, which fully meets the principles of the Shanghai spirit”.

Mr. Alimov noted that representatives not only from the SCO friendly family but also from many countries and continents gathered in the festive hall. “This is the best reflection of the main mission of International Nowruz Day — to unite people for the sake of peace and preserve our planet for future generations, for the prosperity of all nations on our planet”, — said SCO Secretary-General and invited everyone to turn over a new leaf in their relations.

Warm words spoken by the SCO Secretary-General were followed by video greetings from Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the SCO member states, the special representative of the Chinese Government in the SCO, and the team of the SCO Secretariat.

Lively music and dances that represent nations of the “SCO family”, showcasing of fashionable clothes, various different sorts of food and culinary delicacies typical of Nowruz added to the general spring atmosphere of this event.

A large-scale photo exhibition the theme of which was the SCO International Marathon, which was held in Kunming (Yunnan Province, China) on December 31, 2017, was very much enjoyed by everyone.

More than 400 guests attended the reception marking International Nowruz Day in Beijing, including ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in China, as well as prominent public figures, scientists, journalists, business people and cultural representatives.

In September 2009, Nowruz was included into UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

On 23 February 2010, the UN General Assembly announced 21 March as the International Nowruz Day.

Traditionally, the SCO Secretariat organizes receptions to mark New Year according to the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year according to the Lunar calendar, and International Nowruz Day.