Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 19 March 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Headquarters celebrated Navruz jointly with the permanent missions of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, the event was attended by over 400 people, including the UNESCO leadership, representatives of official, cultural and humanitarian circles of France, heads of diplomatic missions of foreign countries.

At the event, Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay noted that Navruz is the celebration for the New Year for millions of people worldwide. Meaning “new day”, it is the first day of spring, symbolizing rebirth and hope. This centuries-old tradition testifies to the diversity and uniqueness of national cultures that are recognized by UNESCO.

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Renato Ottone Ramirez recalled that Navruz was inscribed as an element in 2009, and extended in 2016, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The UN believes that the holiday promotes the values of peace and solidarity both between generations and within the family, as well as reconciliation and good neighborliness. In 2010, the “International Day of Nowruz” was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution.

The guests of the event were acquainted with the traditions of Navruz celebration in Uzbekistan, the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country.