A solemn event dedicated to the International Day of Nowruz was held at the center of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, at the initiative of the Embassy of Kazakhstan. The corresponding Resolution of the UN General Assembly was adopted at the initiative of a number of countries, including Kazakhstan, in 2010. (UNGA 64/253 "International Day of Nowruz"). Another four embassies, namely the embassies of Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan and Turkey, as well as the UNESCO Office in Ethiopia, co-organized this event, Delovoy Kazakhstan reports.
An event of this kind and scale was the first not only in Ethiopia, but throughout Africa. The celebration was attended by about 400 guests, including high-ranking officials of state bodies, parliament, business structures and the media of Ethiopia, the diplomatic corps of Addis Ababa. As part of the event, a tree planting ceremony was held, a film about Nowruz was shown, a concert of folk songs and dances was organized, as well as a tasting of dishes from the cuisines of the host countries.
In his speech on behalf of the embassies-organizers, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Barlybay Sadykov presented the history and concept of Nowruz celebration, noting its importance in terms of strengthening harmony and unity in society, developing intercultural dialogue, promoting peace and security, and the international environmental agenda.
The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Dina Mufti, expressed gratitude to the embassies on behalf of the government of Ethiopia for the first celebration of this holiday in Africa, in its capital, Ethiopia.
“This plays a very important role in establishing ties between people based on mutual respect, the ideals of peace and good neighborliness. The celebration of Nowruz in Addis Ababa is a symbol of friendship with Ethiopia, and is aimed at strengthening cultural ties with countries and peoples, friendship and solidarity at the global level,” Ambassador D. Mufti said.
Director of UNESCO in Addis Ababa Dr. Yumiko Yokozeki, for her part, stressed the need for such solemn celebrations to inspire societies to peace, solidarity and joy.
“Nowruz reflects many of UNESCO's values, such as the importance of establishing ties, encouraging mutual respect, living harmoniously with nature and promoting solidarity and peace in people's minds,” Y.Yokozeki said.
Of particular interest to the participants was the "Kazakh Corner" specially designed in the style of a yurt and decorated with national ornaments, Kazakh musical instruments, household items and national costumes. The guests were offered kazy, nauryz-kozhe, baursaks, manti, zhent and other dishes of the Kazakh national cuisine.
The guests were provided with information about the life and work of the great Kazakh figures, including Akhmet Baitursynov. As part of the musical composition, songs by Roza Baglanova were performed.
The holding of cultural events, such as Nowruz, is of great importance in the context of the UN International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures, initiated by Kazakhstan, which is ending this year, and the development of intercultural dialogue and cooperation.
The guests of the event liked Nowruz and aroused their great interest in the culture of Kazakhstan. All the guests expressed their desire to make the celebration of Nowruz in this format an annual event.
