OSCE declares Nowruz an international celebration

After the recognition of Norwuz celebration by UN, the OSCE declared March, the 21st an international holiday, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to OSCE, Fuad Ismaylov.

The UN resolution was initiated by the Azerbaijani side. During a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of the United Nations, held between 28 September – 2 October 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Nowrūz was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Nowruz is celebrated and observed by Iranian peoples and their related cultural contingents and has spread to many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some ethnic groups in Albania, Bosnia, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March the 21st.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21.