Navruz (also spelled Nowruz, Norouz, Norooz, Nauryz, and other variants), 21st of March, marks the end of the winter and the beginning of a new season. “Navruz” means New Day which is the first day of spring, remembering the nature transformation and its huge impacts on humanity’s life. The rebirth of nature happens in the spring season and it creates a new beginning for humankind, inspiring from nature.

Many countries celebrate Navruz as the New Year. It is celebrated in Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Albania, Georgia, and more countries. More than 300 million people all around the world celebrated Navruz for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox (start of spring in the northern hemisphere), which usually occurs on March 21st or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.

The United Nations officially recognized the "International Day of Navruz" with the adoption of Resolution 64/253 by the UN General Assembly in February 2010.

Mr. António Guterres the UN Secretary-General in his last year message on Navruz mentioned “As the world comes together to defeat COVID-19, Navruz serves as an inspiration to recover and rebuild in a more just and durable way, in harmony with nature.”

Navruz 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.

The people of the countries, which are celebrating Navruz, start preparing for the Navruz with a major spring-cleaning of their houses, the purchase of new clothes to wear for the New Year, and the purchase of flowers and sweets.

During the Navruz holidays, people are expected to make short visits to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors. Typically, young people will visit their elders first, and the elders return their visit later. Visitors are offered tea and pastries, cookies, fresh and dried fruits, and mixed nuts or other snacks. 

One of the most common foods cooked on the occasion of Navruz is Sumalak (Samanak, Samanu, Somank). This food is prepared using wheat germ. In most countries that celebrate Navruz, this food is cooked. In some countries, cooking this food is associated with certain rituals. Women and girls in different parts of Uzbekistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan cook Sumalak in groups and sometimes during the night, and when cooking it, they sing memorable songs. In general, cooking Navruz food is common in every region where Navruz is celebrated, and each area has its own food and sweets.

In conclusion; Navruz belongs to humanity for having a better world with health, happiness, and harmony.