Diplomats from Central Asian countries accredited in Tehran took part in the presentation ceremony of the first Honorary Badge of Novruz. The ceremony was held in the presence of Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Orientation of Iran Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini and President of the ECO Cultural Institute Sarwar Bakhti.
According to the Iranian media, Novruz is considered one of the oldest holidays, which, due to its spread among the peoples of the region, can affect culture and diplomacy.
The ceremony marked the first presentation of the new badge of honor to Iranian and foreign cultural figures and diplomats from a number of countries.
Henceforth, this badge will be awarded annually to people who promote the values of Novruz.
Novruz is a holiday of the incoming of spring according to the astronomical solar calendar of the Iranian and Turkic peoples. Today, it is celebrated at the time of the vernal equinox.
In 2009, Novruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and since then, March 21 has been declared as the International Day of Novruz. Novruz is celebrated as a public holiday in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Albania, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
As a national holiday, it is also celebrated in some regions of the Russian Federation. Novruz is also celebrated in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, Iraqi Kurdistan, and some regions of India.
Janmamed GULAMOV