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An Enchanting Journey to Nowruz Bayram

March 21, 2023 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm EDT

Registrations are now closed.

 

The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide in collaboration with the embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan cordially invites you to an enchanting program on Tuesday, March 21, at the Burns Auditorium, in the State Department at 11:00 am Eastern Time

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on 21 March. It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions. 

Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous peoples, Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities.

Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good neighborliness. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which influenced those civilizations through the interchange of human values. Celebrating Nowruz means the affirmation of life in harmony with nature, awareness of the inseparable link between constructive labor and natural cycles of renewal and solicitous and respectful attitude towards natural sources of life. Variously known as Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz or Nevruz, means new day; its spelling and pronunciation may vary by country. It is being officially celebrated by many countries including Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Every year senior U.S. officials congratulate countries who are celebrating this holiday. As an example, last year on March 17, an online event dedicated to Nowruz holiday was held which was organized by the embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan, and moderated by the Meridian International Center and the Oxus Society for Central Asian AffaiUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Agency for International Development,

(USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives Gregory Meeks, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Rebecca Zimmerman delivered congratulatory messages to Nowruz as high-ranking guests at the event.

Please RSVP by March 17.

You will need to provide your birth date and government-issued ID (drivers license or diplomatic ID number) at the time of registration in order to enter the State Department.

Guests should enter at the State Department’s 330 21st STREET ENTRANCE (between C Street and Virginia Avenue). We  will be checking people in 10:45 AM. As you enter, rather than reporting to the main desk, please go to the table on the left where we will be waiting to escort you.

We look forward to seeing you.

Sheila Switzer, AAFSW Program Chair

 

Please consider donating to AAFSW to help support our programs and events.

 

 

Details

Date:
March 21, 2023
Time:
11:00 am - 1:00 pm EDT

Organizer

AAFSW

Venue

Burns Auditorium
330 21st St NW (between C and Virginia)
Washington, DC 20520 United States
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