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Kurdistan government welcomes UN
recognition of International Day of Newroz
20.3.2010 |
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March
20, 2010
ERBIL-Hewlêr,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq',— As the people of the
Kurdistan Region and millions of Kurds around the
world prepare to celebrate Newroz, the traditional
Kurdish new year, the Kurdistan Regional Government
welcomes the UN General Assembly’s recognition of
this ancient celebration.
Kurds in the Kurdistan Region and other countries
have been celebrating Newroz, which means New Day,
for at least three thousand years. Newroz falls on
the Spring Equinox, the first day of spring, and
represents hope, unity and renewal.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) also
welcomes the UN’s decision to include the Newroz new
year as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The
decision to include Newroz in the list of humanity’s
heritages was made by the UN Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization.
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Kurds celebrate during Newroz in Erbil, Kurdistan
Region of Iraq |
The text of the UN
General Assembly resolution notes the festival’s
‘affirmation of life in harmony with nature, the
awareness of the inseparable link between
constructive labour and natural cycles of renewal
and the solicitous and respectful attitude towards
natural sources of life’.
The UN Assembly called on member states that
celebrate the festival to study the history and
traditions of Newroz, to spread this knowledge among
the international community and organise annual
commemoration events. The KRG is already including
its international friends in the new year
festivities.
Last year the KRG Department of Foreign Relations
hosted many ambassadors and diplomats based in
Baghdad to a major Newroz celebration in Erbil, and
this year the KRG UK Representation in London hosted
a Newroz reception for its international friends and
the Kurdish community in the UK.
Newroz is celebrated not only in Kurdistan but also
in Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, the Balkans, the
Black Sea Basin and the Caucuses. For the Kurds,
Newroz has an additional significance: The large
fires that Kurds light on new year’s day represent
the triumph of good over evil and freedom from
oppression.
The Newroz myth recounts the Kurdish struggle
against an evil ruler. When Kawa the blacksmith
defeated the tyrant, the people lit fires to
transmit the good news throughout the Region. Across
the Kurdistan Region,www.ekurd.netpeople
will celebrate by wearing their finest colourful
Kurdish dress, picnicking in the countryside,
singing and dancing.
Copyright, respective author or news agency,
Kurdistan Regional Government | krg org
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