The Nowruz festival gathered more than seven thousand guests from various countries of the world in Moscow in the ‘Rossia’ state central concert hall, including ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and the republics of Central Asia. The tradition of celebrating Nowruz was born many centuries ago. It is the day when night becomes shorter, and spring is completely in charge of nature. It is marked by many peoples who live in Russia and abroad. The colorful event was organized by the Department of Ethnic Policy, Inter-Religious Ties and Tourism of Moscow with the support of embassies of foreign countries, representatives of Russian regions and national social organizations of Moscow.
“It is a wonderful festival which is traditional for us – the coming of spring; the festival is unusual for Moscow, but it loves the event. Moscow is a hospitable, multinational city, which is open for everybody all the time. People of various nationalities come to celebrate Nowruz. Sometimes they don’t have anything in common with the holiday, but they love the festival of spring; I think it is a symbol of friendship,” Vladimir Chernikov, the head of the Department of Ethnic Policy, Inter-Religious Ties and Tourism said.
In Azerbaijan, Nowruz is called Nowruz Bayramy. Mekhman Shukyurov, the executive director of the Center of Azerbaijani-Russian Culture and Solidarity, told Vestnik Kavkaza that on this day people jump over bonfires, so that all diseases, all bad things would burn in the fire. Only health and happiness should stay. Another tradition is throwing a hat, a sheepskin hat. Any kid or a grownup can put a hat near someone’s door, knock at the door and hide. A host should come out, see the hat and put sweets in the hat. The host shares his food with the person who has knocked at his door. It is a symbol of friendship and mutual support.
Izumrud Mugutdinova, the permanent envoy of Dagestan under the President of Russia, told Vestnik Kakvkaza about the celebration of Nowruz in Dagestan: “The holiday is broadly celebrated in the south of Dagestan – the Tabasaranis, the Lezginis, the Azerbaijanis. This is a holiday of the first furrow, when nature awakens; the festival of flowers. Women are cleaning their houses, decorating them, and cooking national cuisines. Men are preparing wood for bonfires, as fire is a symbol of absolution. Young people are jumping over bonfires. Of course, the holiday is Zoroastrian, but today we want many holidays, and we need this one.”
