International Day of Nowruz. The spring holiday Navruz Bayram is celebrated all over the world: its traditions and customs are amazing When Navruz Bayram is in the year

30.09.2019

The Ecuadorian authorities have stripped Julian Assange of asylum at the London embassy. The founder of WikiLeaks was detained by the British police, and it has already been called the biggest betrayal in the history of Ecuador. Why are Assange avenged and what awaits him?

Julian Assange, a programmer and journalist from Australia, became widely known after the website WikiLeaks, which he founded, published classified documents of the US State Department in 2010, as well as materials related to military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But it was rather difficult to find out who the policemen, supporting by the arms, were taking out of the building. Assange dropped his beard and did not at all look like the energetic man, which he still appeared in the photographs.

According to Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno, Assange was denied asylum due to his repeated violations of international conventions.

He is expected to remain at a police station in central London until he appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Why is the President of Ecuador accused of treason

Former President of Ecuador Rafael Correa called the decision of the current government the biggest betrayal in the history of the country. "What he (Moreno. - Ed.) Did is a crime that humanity will never forget," said Correa.

London, on the other hand, thanked Moreno. The British Foreign Office believes that justice has been done. Representative of the Russian diplomatic department Maria Zakharova has a different opinion. “The hand of“ democracy ”squeezes the throat of freedom,” she said. The Kremlin expressed the hope that the rights of the arrested person would be respected.

Ecuador harbored Assange because the former president was center-left, criticized US policies, and welcomed WikiLeaks' publication of classified documents on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even before the internet activist needed asylum, he managed to get to know Correa personally: he interviewed him for the Russia Today channel.

However, in 2017, the power in Ecuador changed, the country headed for rapprochement with the United States. The new president called Assange "a stone in his boot" and immediately made it clear that his stay at the embassy would not be prolonged.

According to Correa, the moment of truth came at the end of June last year, when US Vice President Michael Pence arrived in Ecuador. Then everything was decided. “You can rest assured that Lenin is just a hypocrite. He has already agreed with the Americans about the fate of Assange. And now he is trying to make us swallow the pill, saying that Ecuador is allegedly continuing the dialogue,” Correa said in an interview with Russia Today.

How Assange made new enemies

The day before his arrest, WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Christine Hrafnsson said that Assange was under surveillance. "WikiLeaks has uncovered a large-scale espionage operation against Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy," he said. According to him, cameras and voice recorders were placed around Assange, and the information received was transmitted to the Donald Trump administration.

Hrafnsson clarified that Assange was going to be expelled from the embassy a week earlier. This did not happen only because WikiLeaks released this information. A high-ranking source told the portal about the plans of the Ecuadorian authorities, but the head of the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry, Jose Valencia, denied the rumors.

The expulsion of Assange was preceded by a corruption scandal around Moreno. In February, WikiLeaks published the INA Papers, which traced the operations of the offshore company INA Investment, founded by the brother of the Ecuadorian leader. Quito said that this is Assange's conspiracy with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the former head of Ecuador Rafael Correa to overthrow Moreno.

In early April, Moreno complained about Assange's behavior in the London mission of Ecuador. “We must protect the life of Mr. Assange, but he has already crossed all boundaries in the sense of violating the agreement that we came to with him,” the president said. “This does not mean that he cannot speak freely, but he cannot lie and engage in hacking. ". At the same time, back in February last year, it became known that Assange was deprived of the opportunity to interact with the outside world at the embassy, in particular, his access to the Internet was turned off.

Why Sweden stopped persecuting Assange

At the end of last year, Western media, citing sources, reported that Assange would be charged in the United States. This was never officially confirmed, but it was because of Washington's position that Assange had to take refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy six years ago.

Sweden, in May 2017, closed the investigation of two cases of rape, in which the founder of the portal was accused. Assange demanded from the government of the country compensation for legal costs in the amount of 900 thousand euros.

Earlier, in 2015, the Swedish prosecutor's office also dropped three charges against him due to the statute of limitations.

Where did the rape investigation lead?

Assange arrived in Sweden in the summer of 2010 hoping to get protection from the American authorities. But he came under investigation in the rape case. In November 2010, a warrant for his arrest was issued in Stockholm, Assange was put on the international wanted list. He was detained in London, but was soon released on bail of 240 thousand pounds.

In February 2011, a British court ruled to extradite Assange to Sweden, followed by a series of successful appeals for the founder of WikiLeaks.

The British authorities placed him under house arrest before deciding to extradite him to Sweden. Breaking his promise to the authorities, Assange asked for asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy, which was granted to him. Since then, the UK has had its own claims against the founder of WikiLeaks.

What now awaits Assange

According to police, the man was re-arrested at the request of the United States for extradition for publishing classified documents. At the same time, Deputy Foreign Minister Alan Duncan said that Assange would not be sent to the United States if he faced the death penalty there.

In the UK, Assange is likely to stand trial on the afternoon of April 11. This is stated on the WikiLeaks Twitter page. Probably, the British authorities will seek a maximum sentence of 12 months, said the man's mother, citing his lawyer.

At the same time, the Swedish prosecutor's office is considering the possibility of reopening the investigation into the rape charge. The victim's lawyer, Elizabeth Massy Fritz, will work to do this.

Navruz is a national holiday of the Iranian and Turkic peoples, one of the oldest holidays in the history of mankind. It is noted in many Muslim countries of Western and Central Asia, in the Caucasus.

Nowruz is not a religious holiday and is more connected with folk tradition.

History of the celebration of Navruz

Historians determine its age at more than three thousand years, the birthplace of this holiday is Ancient Iran.

Translated from Farsi, Navruz means "new day" - the onset of the New Year according to the solar calendar, coinciding with the vernal equinox or the astronomical beginning of spring.

The names of the holiday may differ in different countries - Novruz, Nauruz, Nuruz, Nevruz, Nauryz, Nouruz and others.

It is believed that the origin of the holiday is ancient Iranian, associated with the cult of the Sun and the name of the legendary prophet Zarathushtra (spelling variants - Zarathustra, Zoroaster, Zardusht). In the state of the Achaemenids (VI-IV centuries BC) and Sassanids (III-VII centuries AD) Navruz was considered the main holiday.

The ancient Greek historian Strabo wrote: "In the most ancient, ancient times and to the present, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia (Syr-Darya and Amu-Darya) gather on this day in the Temple of Fire. This is the most revered holiday when merchants close their shops, artisans stop working, all have fun, treat each other to those drinks and foods that have been touched by the fire. "

According to legend, many legendary events took place on this day: Zarathushtra was chosen by God to bring happiness to people; the first living creature Kayumars - the First Man in Iranian mythology - was created by God from clay; the mythical king Tahmuras "sent evil divas and ruthless people to prison".

God in the ancient Iranian religion was called Ahura Mazda (Ahura Mazda - Lord Wise). "Goshtasp, princess Katayun and Jamasp adopted the Mazdayasna faith," that is, Zoroastrianism (the religion of Ancient Iran before the advent of Islam).

The origin of Navruz is also associated with the mythical king Jamshid, on whose golden throne the rays of the sun fell on that day.

After the spread of Islam in Iran and Central Asia, Navruz was not banned and was widely celebrated among the people. His rituals associated with the practice of farmers were especially popular, for example, the ritual of the first furrow - the beginning of spring sowing.

In the Middle Ages, the Muslim clergy tried in every possible way to distance themselves from Navruz, considering it a holiday of the Zoroastrians.

In 2009 Navruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and on 23 2010 the UN General Assembly declared March 21 "International Day of Nowruz".

The UN General Assembly Resolution on the International Day of Navruz was adopted on the initiative of Azerbaijan, Albania, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

In a number of countries, Navruz is declared a public holiday, and the Vernal Equinox Day is a day off.

In ancient times, the time of the coming of Navruz was determined by astrologers. Now they have been replaced by astronomers who calculate the arrival of the holiday with an accuracy of the minute. In 2017, the vernal equinox will occur on March 20 at 10:28 UTC.

The essence of the holiday is the solemn meeting of the astronomical New Year, which in the northern hemisphere of the Earth begins on the day of the vernal equinox.

How to prepare for the celebration of Navruz 2019

In about two weeks, wheat or lentils are sown on the dishes. By the holiday, their green sprouts should reach 5-7 centimeters and become a table decoration, a symbol of the birth of a new life, the New Year. Closer to the holiday, the grain is germinated again - to become the basis for the festive dish.

The onset of the New Year is preceded by symbolic rituals of purification. On “joyful Wednesday” (the last Wednesday before Navruz), bonfires are lit on the streets of cities and villages, and people must jump seven times over one bonfire or one time over seven bonfires. On the last night of the old year, it is customary to spray each other with water and jump over running water to cleanse oneself from last year's sins.

There is a belief that with the arrival of Navruz, good angels (fereshta) descend to earth. They give people abundance and prosperity, joy and hope. But the angels, according to legend, went around the houses where hostility lurked and where they forgot to clean up for the new year. Hence two very important rituals of Navruz: thorough cleaning on the eve of the holiday and the need to forget hostility and quarrels. Also, on the eve of the holiday, you need to receive the blessing of parents and elders, to distribute or forgive debts.

According to popular belief, on the night before the first day of the holiday, all household members had to be at home, otherwise they would have to wander in a foreign land for seven years; it was not supposed to go to visit and receive guests. The whole family, putting on new holiday clothes, gathers at the traditional table, put new dishes, a mirror and light candles according to the number of family members.

These candles cannot be extinguished until they have burned out to the end. Everything that is exhibited on the festive table, in one way or another, is associated with the symbolism of spring rebirth, fertility, prosperity, fun and joy.

Seven symbols of Navruz 2019

In addition to numerous dishes, it must contain seven items, the names of which begin in Persian with the letter "sin" ("s"): rue seeds - sipand, apple - seb, black seeds - siahdane, wild olive - sanjid, vinegar - sirke, garlic - sire and sprouted grain - sabzi.

Another set of seven items is possible, for example, in Iran it includes a sekke - a coin; serke - vinegar; sire - garlic; sumah - spice; samanu (among other peoples, sumalak) - a dish made from grains of sprouted wheat; sandjed - sucker berry; sabze - greens, flax and cereal seeds germinated in water, symbolizing the revival of nature. In Afghanistan, this set includes mushrooms (somarek).

Be sure to serve a large festive bread or flat cakes, a bowl of water where a green leaf should float, a bowl of rose water, fruits, nuts, almonds, fish, rooster, milk, yogurt, cheese, painted eggs.

In Iran, on the festive table, there must be a vessel with water in which a live fish swims, symbolizing a happy life full of activity and movement.

On the holiday, traditional pilaf is served, but the main dishes of the New Year's table are always special dishes: guja (for some peoples, halim or khalisa) and sumalak (sumalak, samanu). They are prepared only once a year, exclusively for the New Year's table. Guja is made from seven types of cereals with the addition of meat, which are boiled until smooth.

Halim (khalisa) is a porridge made from wheat and meat, in some peoples with the addition of peas and vegetables. Sumalak is a sprouted wheat halva with a small amount of flour and sugar. Only women are engaged in the preparation of sumalak, and men are engaged in guji or halima (khalis).

To prepare sumalak, in the evening all the women of the village gather (in the cities - housemates) and cook food in one common cauldron, stirring the cauldron in strict order. The prepared dishes are divided among the hostesses, and each one brings her part home to her family.

As a rule, they try to serve as many different dishes and sweets as possible on the festive table. Everyone should be full and happy: then the year will be successful and fruitful.

Gifts for Nowruz 2019

It is not customary to lend money in Navruz, so as not to deprive the house of prosperity. At the same time, there was an unwritten custom on the days of the spring holiday to present people with Navruz-payy - a festive share. A tray of holiday treats is sent to neighbors and friends that should not be returned empty.

The festive ritual is not limited to the feast. On this day, children go home and sing songs about Navruz, and they are presented with sweets. Artists perform on the streets, witches compete, songs and jokes are heard. Relatives exchange visits, give gifts.

In rural areas, after the celebration of the first day of Navruz, field work usually begins. The first furrow is made by the most respected and oldest member of the rural community. They relied on Navruz to feed their domestic animals in the best way; it was a good deed to plant any trees, especially chestnuts, figs and mulberries. It is customary to visit the sick and the lonely.

How many days Navruz 2019 is celebrated

In ancient times, Navruz was celebrated for 13 days. This tradition has survived in Iran, where the first five out of 13 days are dedicated to meeting Navruz and visiting relatives and friends. The ninth day is known as Shahriyaran Navruz (Shah Navruz), and the thirteenth day as Sizdah-bedar ("Thirteenth outside the home").

On the thirteenth day of the new year, people leave their homes and go out of town, or gather in parks, gardens, where the holiday continues. They spend this day away from home so as not to bring trouble into the house. This belief has remained since antiquity and is associated with the number thirteen.

During these peculiar picnics, they eat sweets, sherbet - so that the year is sweet and happy.

Along with traditional rituals, such ceremonial and festive events of Navruz as festivals, competitions, mass processions, sports games and so on are now recognized.

Nowruz translated from Farsi means "new day", and "bayram" is a Turkic word and means "holiday". This is one of the oldest holidays on Earth, symbolizing the beginning of a new life.

Navruz acquired its official status in the Achaemenid Persian Empire (VI-IV centuries BC). It continued to be celebrated after the Islamic conquests, right up to the present day.

And although the celebration of Navruz is widespread among Muslim peoples, it is not a religious, but rather a folk holiday, which is associated with spring, the beginning of agricultural work, the awakening of nature and the onset of warm days.

Celebration

The origin of the holiday is associated with the cult of the Sun and the name of the ancient Persian prophet Zarathushtra. The sacred book of Zoroastrians "Avesta" is the oldest source where the celebration of Navruz is mentioned.

According to the teachings of the Avesta, every spring people should celebrate the appearance of life on earth, which originated "in six species" (sky, water, earth, plants, animals and humans).

According to legend, many legendary events took place on this day, including Zarathushtra was chosen by God to bring happiness to people, and the mythical king Tahmuras sent evil divas and ruthless people to prison. The origin of Navruz is also associated with the mythical king Jamshid, on whom the rays of the sun fell on that day.

According to Turkic legends, on this day the Turks escaped from the encirclement, leaving Ergenekon (the territory surrounded by mountains). Therefore, Navruz was accepted by the Turkic peoples as the beginning of the New Year and is celebrated to this day.

The holiday, over the years of its existence, was either canceled or reintroduced. And today it is not celebrated in all Muslim countries. In the Middle East, the holiday is celebrated only by those peoples who lived there even before the arrival of the Arabs and the widespread spread of Islam.

The Arabs themselves do not celebrate this holiday. Moreover, in Syria, Navruz is officially banned, and in Turkey, the ban on its celebration was lifted only in 1991.

Navruz, as the official start of the new year according to the astronomical solar calendar, is celebrated on March 21 in Iran and Afghanistan, as well as in Iraqi Kurdistan, India, Macedonia and so on. Navruz marks the beginning of the year also according to the Bahá'í calendar.

In the CIS countries, Navruz is celebrated as a national holiday by Tatars, Bashkirs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Uzbeks and many other peoples. Depending on the country or region, the name of the holiday is pronounced differently - Novruz, Nauruz, Nuruz, Nevruz, Nauryz, Nuruz and so on.

Muslims during the celebration of the Navruz holiday in the Khan Palace in Bakhchisarai

The duration of the holiday is also different. In some states, it is celebrated for three days, while in others it is five or more. In ancient times, Navruz was celebrated for 13 days. At the end of the celebrations, people went out into the field, where they celebrated the New Year. In the old days, it was believed that those who these days in the field enjoy nature throughout the coming year will be accompanied by happiness and prosperity. this tradition has been preserved.

This tradition has been preserved in some countries, including Iran, where people spend the 13th day of spring in nature with their relatives.

In ancient times, the date of the coming of Navruz was determined by astrologers. Now astronomers calculate the date of Navruz's arrival to the nearest minute. In 2018, the Vernal Equinox Day will occur on March 20 at 16:15 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), or 20:15 Tbilisi time.

The celebration of Navruz on the day of the vernal equinox is associated with the emergence of the solar calendar, which appeared among the peoples of Central Asia and Iran seven thousand years ago, long before the emergence of Islam.

This is how Navruz differs from the Muslim New Year, since the Muslim calendar is based on the lunar annual cycle. The Muslim lunar year begins with the month of Muharram, that is, the New Year begins on the 1st of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Muslim calendar.

Traditions

Since ancient times, the importance of this period of the year for human life has given rise to many traditions, customs and rituals that are associated with magical actions, the cult of nature and fertility.

Muslims start preparing for Navruz a month before the holiday - Tuesdays are considered especially pre-holiday. Each of the four Tuesdays (chershenbe) has its own name in accordance with the natural element (water, fire, earth and wind), to which it is dedicated to "awakening".

Sputnik

"Earth Tuesday" was celebrated in Baku before Novruz holiday

The awakening of these elements of nature foreshadows the arrival of the fifth, main element, a new bright day - Navruz, the beginning of the revival and complete revitalization of the earth. Accordingly, every Tuesday has its own ancient traditions and rituals, many of which have survived to this day.

On the first Tuesday, they begin to plant "syamyani" - sprouted wheat seeds, an integral symbol of Navruz. It is a symbol of family life, wealth, health and well-being.

Despite the fact that the name of the Muslim New Year in the languages of different nations sounds with different intonations, the traditions of its celebration in all countries are approximately the same. So, in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan there is a tradition to fumigate dwellings on the night before the holiday with steaming juniper branches in order to expel evil spirits.

Before the holiday, you need to repent of your sins, make peace with your enemies, forgive debts. According to the legend, in the days of Navruz, good angels-farishta bring abundance and prosperity to those who have pure thoughts, who have a bright soul, and who have cleaned their homes. Therefore, before Navruz, the owners try to put the house in order, whitewash and renovate it.

All homework related to the celebration of Navruz must be completed the day before, including cleaning, preparing festive dishes, decorating the home with green branches of an apple and pomegranate.

Clothes, especially children's clothes, are necessarily washed, as it was believed that water would wash away all the negative. Even before Islam, the week before Navruz was considered dedicated to the souls of the ancestors. The ancestors were commemorated by making offerings to them and asking them for help next year, protection from troubles.

Customs and rituals

The custom of kindling ritual bonfires, torches and candles has survived to this day, since the Zoroastrians were fire worshipers and considered fire to be a vital force.

Therefore, before the New Year, symbolic rituals of purification are performed. Bonfires are lit on the streets of cities and villages, and people must jump over one bonfire seven times or one time over seven bonfires. On the last night of the old year, it is customary to spray each other with water and jump over running water to cleanse oneself from last year's sins.

Navruz is the time of fortune-telling. Marriage girls are especially fond of this. That evening, they throw their boots over their heads and, by the direction of their toes, determine whether they will stay in their parents' house for another year or move to the house of their betrothed.

According to the old custom, on a festive evening with the onset of Navruz, it is customary to eavesdrop on the conversations of neighbors through windows or doors, and, depending on the pleasant or unpleasant conversation heard, determine how successful or unsuccessful the coming year will be for both the eavesdropping and the owners.

According to popular beliefs, a lot on this holiday depends on the arrival of the first person in the house. The first guest of the new year should have a quiet and kind character, be with a good sense of humor, with a good name and reputation, and most importantly - have a "happy leg", that is, bring good luck to the house.

In Uzbekistan, they believe that the deeds done by a person during the thirteen days of Navruz will be done by him throughout the year. Therefore, it is customary to forgive each other's debts, to live in peace with everyone.

Festive feast

On this day, all family members gather at the New Year's festive table, which is called "haft-sin". Depending on the region, the range of festive dishes is different, but it is imperative that there must be magic items and products that symbolize purity, light, abundance, happiness and fertility in the New Year.

According to tradition, seven dishes should be present on the table, the name of which begins with the letter "sin" (s): syamyani (sprouted grains), seb (apple), sir (garlic), sumach (barberry), sirko (vinegar), sipand ( spinach), sonjit (olive).

Various dishes of lamb, fish, chicken and eggs are prepared for the holiday, richly seasoned with various spices and decorated with herbs.

On a festively served table, there must be a ritual delicacy sumalak (malt halva), brewed from the juice of sprouted wheat grains with the addition of sugar and flour.

A mirror and candles must be placed on the table according to the number of family members. These candles cannot be extinguished until they have burned out to the end. Be sure to serve homemade bread, nuts, almonds, milk, cheese, fish, eggs painted green, a vessel with rose water, a bowl of water in which a green leaf is floating. And, of course, the Koran should be on the table.

Traditional sweets are served on the festive table - shekerbura, baklava, badambura, gogal and so on, as well as sweet pilaf seasoned with raisins and dried fruits and other goodies.

To the guests who have come to the holiday, the host holds out a dish with barely sprouted grain, the consumption of which symbolizes the initiation into the revival of all living things.

In Uzbekistan, on this day, folk festivities are held, for example, the Kopkari game, fights and horse races. Similar traditions exist in Kyrgyzstan - during the festivities, the art of horsemanship is demonstrated with the participation of local communities in such equestrian races as Kyz kuumay (a competition in which a rider must catch up with a girl on horseback), Enish (riders' wrestling) and Zhamba Atuu (shooting from onions).

Other traditions of Novruz include local street performances, a circus in Iran called Band Bazi, and the Buz Kashi sporting event in Afghanistan, which involves horsemen using a decapitated goat carcass to play.

The Navruz holiday in September 2009 was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and in February 2010 the UN General Assembly declared March 21 International Day of Navruz.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

One of the oldest holidays of mankind is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox - Navruz... This is the New Year's holiday according to the astronomical solar calendar, which was adhered to by the Iranian and Turkic peoples in pre-Muslim times.

When is Navruz celebrated in 2017

Historically, Navruz was celebrated on the Day of the vernal equinox, which falls on different days in different years. As a rule, this is either the 20th (as, for example, in 2017), or March 21st. However, now Navruz is always celebrated on March 21st. By the decision of UNESCO, which recognized this holiday as an intangible cultural heritage of mankind, March 21 is also celebrated International Day of Nowruz.

Other names for the Navruz holiday

This holiday is also called Novruz, Nauroz, Nauryz, Navrez. Translated from Persian, it means “renewal”, “new day”.

Where Navruz is celebrated

Navruz has nothing to do with Islam - this holiday is much older. It has been celebrated since the 4th century BC. followers of Zoroastrianism on a vast territory that captured almost the entire territory of Asia and part of Europe. After the arrival of Islam in the Middle East, the holiday was preserved only among the peoples who lived in these places even before the Arab conquest. Arabs still do not celebrate Navruz, in some Arab countries it is banned.

Today Navruz is a public holiday in Iran, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina and some other countries. Navruz is also celebrated in some Muslim regions of the Russian Federation.

History of Navruz holiday

Historically, Navruz is a holiday of agriculture, since the agricultural calendar is closely related to the day of the vernal equinox. According to one of the Persian legends, a hero was buried on the day of Navruz Siyavush killed by a Turanian Afrasiyab... Navruz is also associated with the Zoroastrian cult of deceased ancestors and the cult of fire, which officially existed in pre-Islamic Iran. Navruz is one of the seven main Zoroastrian holidays.

Traditions of Navruz

The traditions of Navruz are as old as the holiday itself, they symbolize the end of winter, new year and spring renewal.

It is believed that, as before the "real" New Year, before Naruz you need to pay off debts, clean up the house and yard, and prepare special festive meals.

Meals for Navruz are prepared according to special rules, here the composition of ritual compositions, which are called haft-sin and haft-shin, plays an important role. Haft-sin consists of seven parts, the names of which begin with the Persian letter "C". Haft-shin also consists of seven elements, the names of which begin with the Persian letter "Ш".

These are sumalak (a dish made from sprouted wheat), sipand, sirke (vinegar), seeds, sabzi (herbs) and some other plant elements.

Also in Navruz, a mirror and painted eggs are placed on the table, and candles are also lit. All these elements have a symbolic meaning: they protect from evil spirits and mark the end of the old and the beginning of the new year.

What is sumalak

The main food of Navruz is sumalak. Sumalak is boiled from ground sprouted wheat grains and flour. The dish is cooked for almost 24 hours, it is boiled in a large cauldron in cottonseed oil, accompanying the cooking rite with songs, dances and other ritual actions.

During the preparation of sumalak, small stones are added to the cauldron so that the food does not burn. Finding such a pebble at ease at the festive table is considered a good omen. It is believed that eating sumalak and other ritual dishes on the Navruz holiday will give physical and spiritual strength. Also in Navruz it is customary to have fun with all the heart, so that the whole year will be successful and fun.

Congratulations on the Navruz holiday

***
On the bright holiday of the Equinox
Peace and prosperity to you.
May Navruz give you happiness,
Will relieve despondency.

Let the sumalak succeed
After all, there is no way without it.
Let there be success in business
May Allah keep you all.

***
Throw off the burden of sorrow,
Spring - meet the beauty
The holiday is coming to us - Navruz,
Celebrate it with a smile!

Navruz - Eastern New Year,
May your dreams come true
Let the heart sing about love
Flowers will bloom in my soul!

Navruz or "Persian New Year" is a national holiday of the Turkic peoples, one of the oldest holidays in the history of mankind. It is noted in many Muslim countries of Western and Central Asia, in the Caucasus.

In September 2009, Navruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On February 23, 2010, the UN General Assembly declared March 21 "International Day of Nowruz". The UN General Assembly resolution on the International Day of Navruz was adopted on the initiative of Azerbaijan, Albania, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

In different localities, a similar holiday scenario is observed. About two weeks before Navruz, wheat or lentils are sown on the dishes. By the holiday, their green sprouts should reach 5-7 centimeters in height and become a table decoration, a symbol of the birth of a new life. Closer to the holiday, the grain is germinated again - to become the basis for the festive dish.

Preparation for the holiday begins a month before it. Each of the coming four weeks, or rather four Wednesdays, is dedicated to one of the four natural elements and is named accordingly, although the names may differ depending on the region. The first environment is dedicated to air, the second - to water, the third - to the earth, the fourth - to vegetation, because, according to the ideas of the people, in the first environment the air is warmed, in the second - water, in the third the earth comes to life, and in the fourth - trees and vegetation. Then, according to popular beliefs, spring came.

The most important of these environments is considered the latter when the main events unfold. This day is full of various ritual actions that cover all spheres of life and pursue the goal of ensuring the well-being of yourself, your family and society in the coming New Year, freeing yourself from all troubles and turning away troubles and hardships from yourself and your family. Cleaning of the house begins with it as part of a general cleansing ritual before the actual holiday. On the eve of the holiday, it is important to receive the blessing of parents and elders, to distribute or forgive debts, to end quarrels with reconciliation.

The whole family, putting on new holiday clothes, gathers at the traditional table, on which they put new dishes, a mirror and light candles according to the number of family members. These candles cannot be extinguished until they have burned out to the end. A jar with floating fish is also placed on the table.
In Iran, there should be seven items on the festive table, the name of which begins with the letter "c". Hef sin (seven main components) includes "sib" (apple), "sike" (gold), "samani" (halva), "sir" (garlic), "sumakh" (seasoning from dried barberry), "senjet" ( oriental dried fruit with a delicate sugar taste), "sabze" (sprouted young greens).

Abundance should reign on the festive table on this day. In addition to painted eggs, sweets and fruits, there should be all kinds of meat dishes and pilaf on the table.

The Navruz holiday itself could last from 13 days to three days. Its attribute was bonfires burning in the streets, over which everyone had to jump and, preferably, seven times. The coming of the date of the vernal equinox was announced by shots.

According to popular belief, on the night before the first day of the holiday, all household members should be at home, otherwise they will have to wander in a foreign land for seven years; it was not supposed to go to visit and receive guests. Hearing the shots, they proceeded to the meal. In the morning, mutual visits with abundant treats, street entertainments of young people began. The holiday was accompanied by competitions of folk singers and storytellers, martial arts, horse races. Everyone tried to get the first person to visit who, as everyone knew, had good luck.

It is not customary to lend money in Navruz, so as not to deprive the house of prosperity. At the same time, there was an unwritten custom on the days of the spring holiday to present people with Navruz-payy - a festive share. A tray of holiday treats was sent to neighbors and friends, which was also returned with treats. I relied on Navruz to feed pets in the best way, planting any trees, especially chestnuts, figs and mulberries, was a good deed.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources