International Nowruz Day. International Navruz Day When is the Navruz holiday in the year?

On the day of the vernal equinox, Navruz is celebrated - a spring holiday or Eastern (Persian) New Year. Translated from Farsi, its name means “new day”. With the arrival of spring, warm days come, nature awakens and begins to change its decoration. Navruz symbolizes the revival of nature, the triumph of life, and hopes for a generous harvest year.

One of the main symbols of Nowruz is now considered to be sprouted wheat sprouts, which are tied with a red ribbon. Traditionally, festive tables, homes and gardens of those celebrating are decorated with beautiful vases with such sprouts. Of course, some nuances of rituals and preparations may differ from nation to nation, but everyone who celebrates it does not work on these days, congratulates each other on the beginning of the New Year, eats holiday treats and has fun. Holiday dishes for the table include seven elements, the names of which begin with the letter “C” of the Persian alphabet. It is traditional to place colored eggs, candles and a mirror on the table. The egg and the mirror are symbols of the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year. Candles symbolize fire, which protects a person from evil forces.

The holiday is celebrated on March 21 in Iran, the republics of Central Asia and Transcaucasia, and on March 22 in Kazakhstan. Since 2010, this Day has become an official international event - International Day of Nowruz and has been included in the UN calendar holidays. By the decision of the General Assembly, at the initiative of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Iran and Albania, India and Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, the Navruz holiday was assigned to March 21 (UN General Assembly resolution No. A/RES/64/253) .

The spring New Year holiday of the equinox - Navruz, having arisen in Khorasan more than 3000 years ago, almost simultaneously with the emergence of agriculture, spread throughout all neighboring countries.

The roots of Nowruz go back to Zoroastrianism. Navruz is the oldest agricultural holiday; its origin is associated with the emergence of the agricultural calendar. Ferdowsi and Omar Khayyam, who served at the court of the Turkmen king Melik Shah, associated the emergence of Navruz with the names of the legendary kings Dzhemshid, Kayumurs and others. The holiday was first mentioned in the book of fire worshipers “Avesta”. It says that this is a celebration of the birth of life on earth and its victory over death. All living things, according to that book, appeared on this day in 6 types: fire, water, earth, plants, animals and people. According to ancient custom, before the onset of Nowruz, people must restore order in their homes and around them, and pay off their debts.

Round cakes made of wheat, barley, millet, corn, beans, peas, lentils, rice, sesame and beans are placed on the festive table. On Navruz, dishes are prepared, mainly plant products; the most famous holiday dish is sumalak - a dish made from sprouted wheat sprouts.

On the Day of the Vernal Equinox, one of the oldest holidays of humanity is celebrated - Nowruz. This is a New Year holiday according to the astronomical solar calendar, which was followed by the Iranian and Turkic peoples in pre-Muslim times.

When is Navruz celebrated in 2017?

Historically, Navruz was celebrated on the vernal equinox, which falls on different days in different years. As a rule, this is either the 20th (as in 2017) or March 21st. However, Nowruz is always celebrated on March 21. According to the decision of UNESCO, which recognized this holiday as the intangible civilized heritage of humanity, March 21 is also celebrated International Day of Navruz.

Other names for the Navruz holiday

This holiday is also called Novruz, Nauroz, Nauryz, Navrez. Translated from Persian this means “renewal”, “newly made day”.

Where is Nowruz celebrated?

Navruz has nothing to do with Islam - this holiday is much older. It has been celebrated since the 4th century BC. followers of Zoroastrianism over a vast territory that covered almost the entire territory of Asia and part of Europe. After the arrival of Islam in the Middle East, the holiday was preserved only among the peoples who lived in these places even before the Arab conquest. The Arabs still do not celebrate Navruz; in some Arab countries it is banned.

Today Nowruz is a public holiday in Iran, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina and some other countries. Navruz is also celebrated in some Muslim regions of the Russian Federation.

History of the Navruz holiday

Historically, Navruz is a holiday of arable farming, since the agricultural calendar is closely linked to the spring equinox. According to one of the Persian legends, on the day of Nowruz a hero was mourned Siyavush, who was killed by the Turanian Afrasiyab. Nowruz is also associated with the Zoroastrian worship of deceased ancestors and the cult of fire, which officially existed in pre-Islamic Iran. Nowruz is one of the seven main Zoroastrian holidays.

Traditions of Nowruz

The traditions of Navruz are as ancient as the holiday itself; they symbolize the end of winter, the new year and spring renewal.

It is believed that, just like before the “natural” New Year, before Naruz one needs to pay off debts, clean up the house and yard, and also prepare special holiday dishes.

Dishes for Navruz are prepared according to special rules; here a significant role is played by the composition of ritual compositions, which are called haft-sin and haft-shin. Haft-sin consists of seven parts, the names of which begin with the Persian letter “S”. Haft-shin also consists of seven elements, the names of which begin with the Persian letter “Sh”.

These are sumalak (a dish made from sprouted wheat), sipand, sirke (vinegar), semen, sabzi (greens) and certain other plant elements.

Also on Navruz, a mirror and painted eggs are placed on the table, and candles are also lit. All these elements have a symbolic meaning: they protect against evil spirits and mark the end of the old year and the onset of the new year.

What is sumalak

The main dish of Navruz is sumalak. Sumalak is made from ground sprouted wheat grains and flour. The dish takes almost 24 hours to prepare; it is boiled in a large cauldron in cottonseed oil, accompanied by songs, dances and other ritual actions.

When preparing sumalak, small stones are added to the cauldron to prevent the dish from burning. Finding such a pebble in your plate at a ceremonial table is considered a good omen. It is believed that if you eat sumalak and other ritual dishes on the Navruz holiday, it will give you physical and spiritual strength. Also, Navruz is supposed to have fun from the heart so that the whole year will be successful and fun.

Congratulations on the holiday of Navruz

***
On the clear holiday of the Equinox
Peace and prosperity to you.
May Navruz bring you happiness,
It will relieve you from despondency.

Let the sumalak succeed,
After all, it’s impossible without this.
Let there be success in business,
May Allah protect you all.

***
Quickly throw off the burden of sorrows,
Meet the beauty of spring,
The holiday is coming to us - Navruz,
Celebrate it with a smile!

Navruz - Eastern New Year,
Let your dreams come true,
Let your heart sing about love,
Flowers will bloom in your soul!

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Ecuadorian authorities have denied Julian Assange asylum at the London embassy. The founder of WikiLeaks was detained by British police, and this has already been called the biggest betrayal in the history of Ecuador. Why are they taking revenge on Assange and what awaits him?

Australian programmer and journalist Julian Assange became widely known after the website WikiLeaks, which he founded, published secret documents from the US State Department in 2010, as well as materials related to military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But it was quite difficult to find out who the police, supporting by the arms, were leading out of the building. Assange had grown a beard and looked nothing like the energetic man he had previously appeared in photographs.

According to Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno, Assange was denied asylum due to his repeated violations of international conventions.

He is expected to remain in custody at a central London police station until he appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Why is the President of Ecuador accused of treason?

Former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa called the current government's decision the biggest betrayal in the country's history. “What he (Moreno - editor’s note) did is a crime that humanity will never forget,” Correa said.

London, on the contrary, thanked Moreno. The British Foreign Office believes that justice has triumphed. The representative of the Russian diplomatic department, Maria Zakharova, has a different opinion. “The hand of “democracy” is squeezing the throat of freedom,” she noted. The Kremlin expressed hope that the rights of the arrested person will be respected.

Ecuador sheltered Assange because the former president had left-of-center views, criticized U.S. policies and welcomed WikiLeaks' release of secret documents about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even before the Internet activist needed asylum, he managed to personally meet Correa: he interviewed him for the Russia Today channel.

However, in 2017, the government in Ecuador changed, and the country set a course towards rapprochement with the United States. The new president called Assange “a stone in his shoe” and immediately made it clear that his stay on the embassy premises would not be prolonged.

According to Correa, the moment of truth came at the end of June last year, when US Vice President Michael Pence arrived in Ecuador for a visit. Then everything was decided. “You have no doubt: Lenin is simply a hypocrite. He has already agreed with the Americans on the fate of Assange. And now he is trying to make us swallow the pill, saying that Ecuador is supposedly continuing the dialogue,” Correa said in an interview with the Russia Today channel.

How Assange made new enemies

The day before his arrest, WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristin Hrafnsson said that Assange was under total surveillance. “WikiLeaks uncovered a large-scale spy operation against Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy,” he noted. According to him, cameras and voice recorders were placed around Assange, and the information received was transferred to the Donald Trump administration.

Hrafnsson clarified that Assange was going to be expelled from the embassy a week earlier. This did not happen only because WikiLeaks released this information. A high-ranking source told the portal about the plans of the Ecuadorian authorities, but the head of the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry, Jose Valencia, denied the rumors.

Assange's expulsion was preceded by the corruption scandal surrounding Moreno. In February, WikiLeaks published a package of INA Papers, which traced the operations of the offshore company INA Investment, founded by the brother of the Ecuadorian leader. Quito said it was a conspiracy between Assange and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and former Ecuadorian leader Rafael Correa to overthrow Moreno.

In early April, Moreno complained about Assange's behavior at Ecuador's London mission. “We must protect the life of Mr. Assange, but he has already crossed all boundaries in terms of violating the agreement that we came to with him,” the president said. “This does not mean that he cannot speak freely, but he cannot lie and hack.” ". At the same time, back in February last year it became known that Assange at the embassy was deprived of the opportunity to interact with the outside world, in particular, his Internet access was cut off.

Why Sweden stopped its prosecution of Assange

At the end of last year, Western media, citing sources, reported that Assange would be charged in the United States. This was never officially confirmed, but it was because of Washington’s position that Assange had to take refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy six years ago.

In May 2017, Sweden stopped investigating two rape cases in which the portal’s founder was accused. Assange demanded compensation from the country's government for legal costs in the amount of 900 thousand euros.

Earlier, in 2015, Swedish prosecutors also dropped three charges against him due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Where did the investigation into the rape case lead?

Assange arrived in Sweden in the summer of 2010, hoping to receive protection from American authorities. But he was investigated for rape. In November 2010, a warrant was issued for his arrest in Stockholm, and Assange was put on the international wanted list. He was detained in London, but was soon released on bail of 240 thousand pounds.

In February 2011, a British court decided to extradite Assange to Sweden, after which a number of successful appeals followed for the WikiLeaks founder.

British authorities placed him under house arrest before deciding whether to extradite him to Sweden. Breaking his promise to the authorities, Assange asked for asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy, which was granted to him. Since then, the UK has had its own claims against the WikiLeaks founder.

What awaits Assange now?

The man was re-arrested on a US extradition request for publishing classified documents, police said. At the same time, Deputy Head of the British Foreign Ministry Alan Duncan said that Assange would not be sent to the United States if he faced the death penalty there.

In the UK, Assange is likely to appear in court on the afternoon of April 11. This is stated on the WikiLeaks Twitter page. British authorities are likely to seek a maximum sentence of 12 months, the man's mother said, citing his lawyer.

At the same time, Swedish prosecutors are considering reopening the rape investigation. Attorney Elizabeth Massey Fritz, who represented the victim, will seek this.

Nowruz is a national holiday of the Iranian and Turkic peoples, one of the oldest holidays in human history. Celebrated in many Muslim countries of Western and Central Asia, in the Caucasus.

Nowruz is not a religious holiday and is more associated with folk tradition.

History of Navruz celebrations

Historians estimate its age at more than three thousand years; the birthplace of this holiday is Ancient Iran.

Translated from Farsi, Navruz means “new day” - the onset of the New Year according to solar chronology, coinciding with the spring equinox or.

The names of the holiday may vary in different countries - Novruz, Nowruz, Nuruz, Nevruz, Nauryz, Nowruz and others.

It is believed that the origin of the holiday is ancient Iranian, associated with the cult of the Sun and the name of the legendary prophet Zarathushtra (spelling options - Zarathustra, Zoroaster, Zardusht). In the state of the Achaemenids (VI-IV centuries BC) and Sassanids (III-VII centuries AD), Navruz was considered the main holiday.

The ancient Greek historian Strabo wrote: “In the most ancient, ancient times and to this day, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia (Syr-Darya and Amu-Darya) gather on this day in the Fire Temple. This is the most revered holiday, when merchants close their shops, artisans stop working, everything having fun, treating each other to those drinks and foods touched by the fire."

According to legend, many legendary events took place on this day: Zarathushtra was chosen by God to bring happiness to people; the first living creature Kayumars - the First Man in Iranian mythology - was created by God from clay; the mythical king Tahmuras “sent evil divas and ruthless people to prison.”

God in the ancient Iranian religion was called Ahura Mazda (Ahura Mazda - Lord the Wise). “Goshtasp, Princess Katayun and Jamasp accepted the faith of Mazdayasna,” that is, Zoroastrianism (the religion of Ancient Iran before the advent of Islam).

The origin of Navruz is also associated with the mythical king Jamshid, on whose golden throne the rays of the sun fell on this day.

After the spread of Islam in Iran and Central Asia, Nowruz was not prohibited and was widely celebrated among the people. His rituals associated with the practice of farmers were especially popular, for example, the ritual of the first furrow - the beginning of spring sowing.

In the Middle Ages, the Muslim clergy tried in every possible way to dissociate itself from Navruz, considering it a holiday of Zoroastrians.

In 2009, Nowruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and on March 23, 2010, the UN General Assembly declared March 21 “International Nowruz Day.”

The UN General Assembly resolution on International Nowruz Day was adopted on the initiative of Azerbaijan, Albania, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

In a number of countries, Navruz is declared a public holiday, and the Vernal Equinox Day is a day off.

In ancient times, the time of Navruz was determined by astrologers. Now they have been replaced by astronomers who calculate the onset of the holiday to the minute. In 2017, the spring equinox will occur on March 20 at 10:28 UTC.

The essence of the holiday is the solemn celebration of the astronomical New Year, which in the northern hemisphere of the Earth begins on the day of the spring equinox.

How to prepare for the celebration of Nowruz 2019

About two weeks in advance, wheat or lentils are sown on the dishes. By the holiday, their green sprouts should reach 5-7 centimeters and become a table decoration, a symbol of the birth of a new life, the New Year. Closer to the holiday, the grain is sprouted again to become the basis for the holiday dish.

The onset of the New Year is preceded by symbolic rites of purification. On “Joyful Wednesday” (the last Wednesday before Nowruz), bonfires are lit on the streets of cities and villages, and people must jump over one bonfire seven times or over seven bonfires once. On the last night of the old year, it is customary to splash each other with water and jump over running water to cleanse oneself of last year's sins.

There is a belief that with the advent of Nowruz, good angels (fereshta) descend to earth. They give people abundance and prosperity, joy and hope. But angels, according to legend, went around houses where enmity was hidden and where they forgot to tidy up for the New Year. Hence two very important rituals of Nowruz: thorough cleaning on the eve of the holiday and the need to forget hostility and quarrels. Also, on the eve of the holiday, you need to receive the blessing of parents and elders, distribute or forgive debts.

According to popular belief, on the night before the first day of the holiday, all household members had to be at home, otherwise they would have to wander in a foreign land for seven years; It was not supposed to go to visit and receive guests. The whole family, having put on new holiday clothes, gathers at the traditional table, puts out new dishes, a mirror and lights candles according to the number of family members.

These candles cannot be extinguished until they burn out completely. Everything that is put on the festive table is, in one way or another, associated with the symbolism of spring revival, fertility, prosperity, fun and joy.

Seven symbols of Nowruz 2019

In addition to numerous dishes, it necessarily contains seven items, the names of which in Persian begin with the letter "sin" ("s"): rue seeds - sipand, apple - seb, black seeds - siakhdane, wild olive - sanjid, vinegar - sirke, garlic - seer and sprouted grain - sabzi.

Another set of seven items is possible, for example, in Iran it includes a sekke - a coin; serke - vinegar; sir - garlic; sumac - spice; samanu (among other peoples sumalak) - a dish made from sprouted wheat grains; sanjed - oleaster berry; sabze - greens, flax and cereal seeds sprouted in water, symbolizing the revitalization of nature. In Afghanistan, this set includes mushrooms (somarek).

Be sure to serve on the table a large festive bread or flatbread, a bowl of water in which a green leaf should float, a bowl of rose water, fruits, nuts, almonds, fish, a rooster, milk, curdled milk, cheese, and colored eggs.

In Iran, the festive table must include a vessel with water in which a live fish swims, symbolizing a happy life, full of activity and movement.

On the holiday, traditional pilaf is served, but the main dishes of the New Year's table everywhere remain special dishes: guja (for some peoples, halim or khalisa) and sumalak (sumalak, samanu). They are prepared only once a year, exclusively for the New Year's table. Guja is made from seven types of grains with the addition of meat, which are boiled until smooth.

Halim (khalisa) is a porridge made from wheat and meat, in some peoples with the addition of peas and vegetables. Sumalak is halva made from sprouted wheat with small additions of flour and sugar. Only women prepare sumalak, and guji or halima (khalis) are prepared by men.

To prepare sumalak, all the women of the village (in cities - housemates) gather in the evening and prepare food in one common cauldron, stirring the cauldron in strict order. The prepared dishes are divided among the housewives, and each takes her portion home to her family.

As a rule, they try to serve as many different dishes and sweets as possible on the festive table. Everyone should be well-fed and happy: then the year will be prosperous and fruitful.

Gifts for Navruz 2019

In Navruz, it is not customary to lend money, so as not to deprive the house of wealth. At the same time, there was an unwritten custom on the days of the spring holiday to give people Navruz-payi - a holiday share. A tray of holiday treats is sent to neighbors and friends and is not supposed to be returned empty.

The festive ritual is not limited to the feast. On this day, children go from house to house and sing songs about Navruz, and they are given sweets. Artists perform on the streets, wits compete, songs and jokes are heard. Relatives exchange visits and give gifts.

In rural areas, after the celebration of the first day of Nowruz, field work usually begins. The first furrow is made by the most respected and oldest member of the village community. It was believed that Navruz was the best time to feed domestic animals; planting any trees, especially chestnut, fig and mulberry, was a good deed. It is customary to visit the sick and lonely.

How many days is Navruz 2019 celebrated?

In ancient times, Navruz was celebrated for 13 days. This tradition has been preserved in Iran, where out of 13 days, the first five are dedicated to celebrating Nowruz and visiting family and friends. The ninth day is known as Shahriyaran Nowruz (Shah's Nowruz), and the thirteenth day as Sizdah-bedar ("The Thirteenth Outside the House").

On the thirteenth day of the new year, people leave their homes and go out of town, or gather in parks and gardens, where the holiday continues. They spend this day outside the house so as not to bring trouble into the house. This belief has remained since ancient times and is associated with the number thirteen.

During these unique picnics, people eat sweets and sherbet to make the year sweet and happy.

Along with traditional rituals, such ritual and festive events of Navruz as festivals, competitions, mass processions, sports games, and so on have now gained recognition.

Nowruz, or "Persian New Year" is a national holiday of the Turkic peoples, one of the oldest holidays in human history. Celebrated in many Muslim countries of Western and Central Asia, in the Caucasus.

In September 2009, Nowruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On February 23, 2010, the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as “International Nowruz Day.” The UN General Assembly resolution on International Nowruz Day was adopted on the initiative of Azerbaijan, Albania, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

In different areas, a similar holiday scenario is observed. About two weeks before Nowruz, wheat or lentils are sown on dishes. By the holiday, their green sprouts should reach 5-7 centimeters in height and become a table decoration, a symbol of the birth of a new life. Closer to the holiday, the grain is sprouted again to become the basis for the holiday dish.

Preparations for the holiday begin a month before it. Each of the upcoming four weeks, or rather four Wednesdays, is dedicated to one of the four natural elements and is named accordingly, although the names may vary depending on the region. The first Wednesday is dedicated to air, the second to water, the third to earth, the fourth to vegetation, because, according to the people, on the first Wednesday the air warms up, on the second - water, on the third - the earth comes to life, and on the fourth - trees and vegetation. Then, according to popular belief, spring was coming.

The most important among these environments is the last one, when the main events unfold. This day is full of various ritual actions that cover all spheres of life and pursue the goal of ensuring the well-being of yourself, your family and society in the coming New Year, freeing yourself from all troubles and averting troubles and adversities from yourself and your family. It begins with cleaning the house as part of the general cleansing ritual before the holiday itself. On the eve of the holiday, it is important to receive the blessings of parents and elders, to distribute or forgive debts, and to end quarrels with reconciliation.

The whole family, having put on new holiday clothes, gathers at the traditional table, on which they place new dishes, a mirror and light candles according to the number of family members. These candles cannot be extinguished until they burn out completely. A jar of floating fish is also placed on the table.
In Iran, there should be seven items on the festive table whose names begin with the letter “s”. Hef sin (seven main ingredients) includes "sib" (apple), "sike" (gold), "samani" (halva), "sir" (garlic), "sumac" (dried barberry seasoning), "senjet" ( an oriental dried fruit with a delicate sugar taste), “sabze” (sprouted young greens).

Abundance should reign on the festive table on this day. In addition to painted eggs, sweets and fruits, the table should have all kinds of meat dishes and, of course, pilaf.

The Navruz holiday itself could last from 13 days to three days. Its attribute was bonfires burning in the streets, over which everyone had to jump, preferably seven times. The arrival of the spring equinox was announced with gunshots.

According to popular belief, on the night before the first day of the holiday, all household members must be at home, otherwise they will have to wander in a foreign land for seven years; It was not supposed to go to visit and receive guests. Having heard the shots, they began to eat. In the morning, mutual visits with plentiful treats and street entertainment for young people began. The holiday was accompanied by competitions of folk singers and storytellers, martial arts, and horse racing. Everyone tried to be the first to visit the person who, as everyone knew, was lucky.

In Navruz, it is not customary to lend money, so as not to deprive the house of wealth. At the same time, there was an unwritten custom on the days of the spring holiday to give people Navruz-payi - a holiday share. A tray of holiday treats was sent to neighbors and friends, who also returned with treats. I relied on Navruz to feed domestic animals in the best way; planting any trees, especially chestnut, fig and mulberry, was a good deed.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources