Which Countries Celebrate Nowruz?

Nowruz is the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year in a huge geographical area including the Black Sea region, central and western Asia. Persian New Year was originally determined by astronomical calculations and it marks March 21. In 2009 this amazing cultural ritual was registered on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the new year celebrated by seven countries Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

Haftsin tabletop setting is among the most prominent rituals of Nowruz in Iran.

On November 30, 2016, during the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in Ethiopia, five more countries were added to the list of the multinational cases of Nowruz making it a total of twelve internationality that celebrate their New Year on the spring equinox every year.
Nowruz celebration is observed by Iran, Albania, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China (by Turkic peoples and Tajiks), Georgia, India (by Parsis), Iraq (by Kurds and Turkmens), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Syria (by Kurds), Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
There are many rites, local traditions, and games that go with this festival and they vary in every region. It has been more than 3000 years that people are celebrating Nowruz. Nowruz meaning new day represents reconciliation, friendship, and peace among all people and communities.

If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating Persian festival, here’s a video to provide you with full information about Nowruz and its unique traditions. Learn how to set Haft Seen table and learn what each of the seven elements means in this tradition and celebrate the Persian New Year.

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