UN Secretary-General: Nowruz Reminds Us of Our Common Ground

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the occasion of the “International Day of Nowruz,” stated that “Nowruz reminds us all of what we have in common, and it is also an emphasis on the richness of diversity among us”.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the first day of Farvardin, quoted poetry from Nasir Khosrow in his message: “Spring came and the desert’s turn was made | and this worn-out world became renewed”. He then, referring to other parts of Nasir Khosrow’s poetry such as “Give wisdom gifts for the world is like this | Made ready for intellect and justice” or “Choose knowledge and seek patience because | The wealthy are wealthy through patience and knowledge”, spoke about the importance of knowledge.

Mr. Guterres says Nowruz is an opportunity to learn more about each other and the world in which we live. The UN Secretary-General added that Nowruz is an opportunity to renew our commitment to peace, friendship, human rights and human dignity.

UNESCO Message

UNESCO, the cultural, educational and research organization of the United Nations, also issued a message on the occasion of the “International Day of Nowruz,” calling for respect for nature and stating that “in an era when extremism is attempting to destroy freedom and diversity, Nowruz reminds us of the power that our culture and heritage have in building sustainable societies”.

The United Nations, since 2010, has designated March 21, which roughly corresponds to the first day of Farvardin, as the “International Day of Nowruz”.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, the cultural, educational and research organization of the United Nations, in a message on the first day of Farvardin this year stated that in a time when various global challenges exist, such as extremism, Nowruz is a reassuring resource that belongs to everyone: “Through dance, poetry and music and other social methods, the celebration of Nowruz offers every woman and man, girl and boy, an opportunity to pay respect to nature and hope for a better future”.

Ms. Bokova emphasized that the message of Nowruz is at the same time a reflection of the importance of efforts to implement the Paris Agreement in combating climate change.

Nowruz: “Cultural Heritage” from Europe to Asia

According to the United Nations, more than 300 million people around the world, from the Balkan countries and the shores of the Black Sea, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and other regions of the world, have honored Nowruz for more than three thousand years.

UNESCO added Nowruz to its “List of Intangible Cultural Heritage” in 2009, the purpose of which is to preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of humanity; what expresses diversity among people but at the same time reflects its importance and the need to preserve it for future generations. This list is divided into two categories: the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Requiring Urgent Safeguarding. This list was established in 2008 and Nowruz was added to it a year later.

Among the occasions, ceremonies and other cultural and spiritual heritage of this list from Iran, one can point to “Radif” in traditional music, Ta’ziyeh, carpet-washing ceremonies in Mashhad Ardahl, carpet-weaving in Fars and Kashan, music of Khorasan regions, boat-building or storytelling. Among world heritage, one can also point to Yoga, the puppet opera of Ciceri, Gagaku music from Japan, the Armenian Duduk, Azerbaijani Ashiq, falconry in various countries, the Binche Carnival in Belgium or the chanting of Buddhists in Ladakh.

Source: Radio Farda