Nowruz is the traditional Iranian festival of spring which is considered as the beginning of the New Year among Iranians. Originating in Iran’s ancient history, Nowruz is now celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide on March 21, the day of the spring Equinox, which marks the sun’s crossing of the Equator and the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
We at UNA-Iran would like to express our best wishes for the New Year and the advent of spring and Nowruz to all the peace-loving people around the world. We will be closed for the annual Iranian New Year holiday season, until Saturday, March 25.
International Nowruz 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 (Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.
Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous peoples, Nowruz 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 neighbourliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities.
Nowruz is a messenger of peace, friendship, benevolence for the humankind and admiration for the nature not only for Iranians, but for several nations and tribes who adorn this ancient festivity and celebrate it.
On this Nowruz, we express hope that all people can use the occasion to reflect on the beauty of nature, the promise of spring and the power of culture to build peace.
Happy Nowruz.