Source:
Mehr News Agency, Tehran
On
the eve of the first International Day of Noruz, the United Nations secretary
general expressed hope that "people around the world will draw on this
festival's history and customs to promote harmony with the natural world and
foster global peace and goodwill."
Noruz begins on March 21, the first day of spring.
Following is the full text of Ban Ki-moon's message, a copy of which was sent to
the Mehr News Agency and the Tehran Times by the UN Information Center (UNIC) of
Tehran:
"The General Assembly's decision this year to recognize the International Day of
Noruz is evidence of a growing global awareness of the holiday's significance
not only in the regions where it is celebrated but around the world.
"For millennia, when the sun crosses the equator and the northern hemisphere
enters Spring, peoples in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus,
Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions have carried out their own
special traditions in celebration of Noruz. These rituals, from repainting homes
to visiting friends to preparing symbolic meals, are infused with a spirit of
renewal and can inspire not only those conducting them but all people.
"As we commemorate this first International Day of Noruz, I hope countries and
people around the world will draw on this festival's history and customs to
promote harmony with the natural world and foster global peace and goodwill."
Information about Norouz
and events across the globe
Persian New Year 1389
New Year, Norouz 1389 - 2010 Times
Articles on Norouz:
Norouz is a
Celebration of Life
Norouz : Persian
New Year
Norouz, the (Iranians) New Year and the Haft-Sin Symbolism
CHAHAR SHANBEH SURI
