Azerbaijan celebrates renewal with Novruz, lauds compatriots in Korea
Novruz, meaning "New Day," signifies the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year. Observed on March 21, the festival has been celebrated for thousands of years across the Silk Road region, including in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East.
The festival strengthens social bonds through community gatherings, festive meals and public celebrations, transcending its Iranian and Zoroastrian roots to become widely embraced across cultures and religions.
Novruz was inscribed on UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage in 2009 through a multinational nomination by Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
In 2016, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan joined the nomination, further expanding its international recognition. The festival is observed as a national holiday in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
In his remarks, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Korea Ramin Hasanov said that Novruz has deep cultural roots that emphasize harmony among nations.
"Novruz fosters peace, solidarity, reconciliation and good neighborly values, promoting cultural diversity, tolerance and friendship across civilizations," Hasanov said, citing Novruz as a unique contribution of the Azerbaijani people to world culture and the preservation of traditions.
"It (Novruz) is a mysterious relic passed down from our ancestors to present generations," he added.
Meanwhile, he also commended Azerbaijani expatriates in Korea for their contributions to raising Azerbaijan's profile abroad.
"Despite being small in number, our compatriots in Korea have successfully represented and promoted Azerbaijan in various spheres of public life with their education, knowledge, skills and achievements," he noted.
The celebration featured traditional Azerbaijani music, national dance performances, and an array of Azerbaijani delicacies, reflecting the festival's joyful spirit.
The event was attended by Azerbaijani students and embassy officials, members of the diplomatic corps, foreign residents, scholars, think tank representatives and media professionals -- a testament to Novruz's global significance.
sanjaykumar@heraldcorp.com
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