UN chief hails Norouz in a message

EghtesadOnline: The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated all those who celebrate Norouz in a message on Tuesday.

News ID: ۷۴۰۵۰۹

24 March 2017

Guterres hailed Norouz as a “reminder of that we have in common – and the richness of our diversity.”

Norouz, as spelled in Persian, means the New Day and marks the beginning of spring according to the ancient Iranian solar calendar, according to IRNA.

It marks the first day of the first month (Farvardin) in the Iranian calendar and usually occurs on 21 March or the previous or following day, depending on where it is observed

Millions of people in Iran and a number of other countries across the globe celebrate Norouz including in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

It is celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide on the day of the spring Equinox, which marks the sun’s crossing of the Equator and the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

“I am grateful to the Ambassadors from a dozen countries celebrating Nowruz for bringing us together today,” said the UN chief in his message.

'Thank you for enabling the United Nations to be part of this timeless ceremony.

“Nowruz is a new beginning. A new year. A chance to be with family and friends.

“The United Nations family celebrates Nowruz because this holiday has meaning for the whole world.

“Nowruz is a reminder of all that we have in common – and the richness of our diversity.