Nowruz – the holiday of holidays

It marks the beginning of spring and is a symbol of new beginnings.

Nauryz is one of the most important and bright holidays in the culture of Kazakhstan. It is celebrated under different names in a number of countries around the world. For Kazakhstan, however, it has great historical significance. The great significance and features of the holiday were presented by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Bulgaria, Temirtay Izbastin, at a meeting with the administration of the Technical University of Sofia. The university is the only one in the Balkans that has a Center for the Kazakh language and technology transfer. It was opened a few years ago with the assistance of the embassy. Among all higher education institutions in our country, the Technical University has the strongest ties with Kazakh universities. Many young people come to study in Bulgaria, and there is also an exchange of teachers between the two countries. "We can boast that in terms of economic cooperation, even during the pandemic, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria was positive – 390 million USD. We have not observed such a boom between the two countries so far. We hope that this will continue. Favorable opportunities for cooperation are now being created, both in economic, cultural and educational directions. We are bound to the Technical University of Sofia by strong friendship and I want to thank the university management for our cooperation," Ambassador Izbastin said during the official meeting between the management of TUS and the Embassy of Kazakhstan. This is not a political, but a people's holiday, where one can tell about the lifestyle and way of life of the Kazakh people. "An excellent opportunity was provided to promote the Nauryz holiday on the territory of the university," the ambassador added. Nauryz means "new day". The holiday is included in the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. This is the first day of spring, but it also carries the meaning of the New Year in Kazakhstan. In the past, in the steppes of the Central Asian state, nomads divided the year into two – summer and winter. The six winter months were dark, cold, and harsh. However, the warm months mark the beginning of a new world, new hope. For this reason, this holiday is so important for Kazakhs, and they still honor it today. This year, the Nauryz holiday begins on March 21 and will continue until March 25. In Bulgaria, it is known as the day of the spring equinox. In Kazakhstan, this is the holiday of the unity of all people, of harmony, of wealth. On this day, Kazakhs gather, think about the past year and ask for forgiveness from those they have hurt. They also think about how to make the world a better place to live. This is the time of awakening, of the blooming of nature, of merging with it. Nauryz is a synonym for fertility, light and goodness, for the inseparable connection of man with nature. Children born in this bright period of the year receive names derived from the holiday. On this day, wars were broken off in the past, and Kazakh elders tried to establish peace. It is interesting to note that on this day in Kazakhstan, special dishes are prepared. Among them is the soup koe – the symbol of prosperity and abundance. The soup must include seven mandatory elements, embodying the seven foundations of life – water, meat, salt, butter, flour, rice and milk. They symbolize happiness, luck, wisdom, health, wealth, growth and protection. Seven is a symbolic number, because you should invite as many guests, and visit as many of your acquaintances. It is interesting that not only the day, but the entire month in Kazakhstan is known as Nauryz. During this holiday, which is so important for Kazakhs, songs are sung and sports events are organized. The entire population forgets about worries, because a new life, a new beginning with new opportunities begins. People look optimistically to the future. Nauryz has been celebrated for thousands of years in the lands of Central Asia and other places. The holiday symbolizes the idea of rebirth and a chance for a new beginning. It is important to clean the house, to ask for forgiveness, so that the human soul on this beautiful day can start fresh. Nauryz was banned by the USSR, but after its collapse, it again took a central place in the life of the glorious Kazakh people. The holiday shows the cultural heritage and rich customs of this people. Nauryz symbolizes happiness, love, joy, friendship and respect for the elderly. During the holiday nowadays, many stars give concerts in the cities and the holiday ends with fireworks. For the nomadic Kazakhs, the arrival of spring was of exceptional importance, because in the months before they had been faced with the harsh obstacles of Mother Nature. In honor of the holiday, Kazakhs wear their best clothes, dance and sing. Nauryz is celebrated everywhere in Kazakhstan – from the largest cities to the smallest villages. There is no house that does not want to celebrate this important moment in the history and culture of Kazakhstan. This year, Kazakhstan also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the most famous and beloved singers of the country – Rosa Baglanova. She is an opera and pop singer who has contributed enormously to the promotion of Kazakh culture. She is a recipient of numerous awards, medals and prizes.

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Fakti.bg, 16.03.2022