― 21 марта 2018 г.

Nevruz Celebrations of TURKSOY started with the Nevruz Fire

Nevruz celebrations of TURKSOY traditionally held every year started with the lighting of the Nevruz Fire in Kastamonu, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2018.

This year, Nevruz celebrations organized in cooperation of TURKSOY with the Governorate and Municipality of Kastamonu  gathered a large audience at the Republic Square of the city.

The event hosted by TURKSOY Secretary General Prof. Dusen Kasseinov, along with the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş and the Governor of  Kastamonu Yaşar Karadeniz as well as the Mayor of  Kastamonu Tahsin Babaş gathered several Chiefs of Diplomatic Missions in  Ankara as well as officials of various public institutions and organizations and representatives of NGOs along with artists from various regions of the Turkic World  and citizens of  Kastamonu.

-Ancient traditions were once again celebrated -

The Nevruz Celebration event started with the lighting of the Nevruz Fire by Dusen Kasseinov, Yaşar Karadeniz and Tahsin Babaş at the Republic Square. Then, Protocol members jumped over the bonfire, as it is traditionally done every year.

Following the iron-forging ceremony which is another ritual associated with Nevruz, protocol members performed the egg-tossing ritual  which is an essential part of Nevruz celebrations.

As the egg-tossing ritual turned into a rather funny kind of striving among its participants, the ceremony attracted a confluence of journalists and members of the press media. The ancestral Nevruz rituals were followed by the opening speeches.

-          Nevruz Prayer by Mr. Kasseinov -

In the opening speech he delivered in  the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2018, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kasseinov congratulated the audience and wished a happy Nevruz to all peoples of the world and more particularly to those which celebrate this tradition.

Mr. Kasseinov further said that this celebration gathers guests from all corners of the Turkic World reaching out from Siberia to Central Asia amd from the Caucasus to the Balkans and added: “Together with our guests artists from countries and regions  where the tradition of Nevruz is celebrated every year, we will introduce our common cultural heritage to you with all its colours, sounds and shapes. Nevruz is the common cultural heritage of not only the Turkic World but also of humnaity as a whole. As a matter of fact, it was included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO in 2009. Later on, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21st as International Day of Nevruz. Up to now, TURKSOY held many Nevruz celebrations in various countries of the world including two Nevruz celebrations in the UN General Assembly Hall in New York   and two Nevruz celebrations in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. These are part of our commitment to the promotion of the Nevruz tradition  on a global scale.

Nevruz is an ancient tradition which is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the Turkic World as well as among kindred Turkic peoples every year. Hence, it is not only a tradition but alsoı a cultural and emotional bond among peoples and we attach great importance to it.   I wish you all a Happy Nevruz! May this celebration  bring friendship, peace and love to all peoples of the world!

Let me conclude with the traditional Nevruz Prayer:

Almighty God!

May our homes always be warm and peaceful, mayo our hearts always be full of love and our families always be happy!

On this very special day of nature’s  revival, we pray. May peace rule the world, may our countries live in serenity as the ties among us keep us united and strong.

May the holy day of our people “yengi kün”,  the “New Year”, “Ergenekon”, “Mart dokuzu” and “Jana Jyl” be a happy one and fill the world with its abundance..

May Nevruz, the common feast of the Turkic World be a happy one!”.

- Kurtulmuş: “Nevruz is tradition full of  precious teachings”-

In the speech he delivered at the ceremony, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş, said that as a tradition marking the revival of nature and Mother Earth, the Nevruz Feast is being celebrated by many peoples living on a large territory ranging from Central Asia to the Balkans and from Mesopotamia to the Caucasus. Mr. Kurtuluş who extended his gratitude to guest artists from 18 countries for their contribution  to the Nevruz celebrations wished them a happy Nevruz and stressed that the Nevruz  Feast has basically three meanings:  "Nevruz is an important celebration which stands for recreation and revival. As such, it also is a symbol of the revival of nature and the awakening of living beings from their winter hibernation. Every year, it shows us that there is revival in the afterlife."

Mr. Kurtulmuş who also said that diversity is a source of abundance and prosperity  added: "The second meaning of Nevruz is that it is tradition which teaches us to be united despite our differences and diversity. Nevruz means the harmony of all colours. While in the winter, nature’s colours are more or less uniform, we see that with the arrival of spring, flowers of all colours bloom in perfect harmony with eachother despite their diversity. Hence, Nevruz also teaches us that despite their differences and diversity, peoples of the world are all united. Our ancestors have always considered all peoples of the world as holy beings created by God. Hence they never ever excluded or stigmatized anyone based on differences. Teachings of Şeyh Şaban-ı Veli's and Saints of Khorassan  tell us not to discriminate people. This year, we are celebrating this ancient tradition of ours  under the auspices of Şeyh Şaban-ı Veli in Kastamonu this ancient city  of Turkey."

Mr. Kurtulmuş also stressed that Nevruz teaches us the eternal principle of life based on the cycle of change and evolution  and said: "Evolution is the essence of every creature’s nature. There is no living being which remains the same and does not change. This is also true for the human race. Indeed, it changes both physically and spiritually. If we interpret Nevruz in this way, we will be able to establish stronger bonds with nature. Every creature of the universe is our heritage. If we see Nevruz as a call upon us to for a more responsible attitude towards nature and Mother Earth, we will be able to unite in greater solidarity with eachother. We will be able to learn how to be friends, and how to share with eachother in mutual soidarity and brotherhood. With these words, let me wish peace and well-being to all the people in the Turkic World."

Mr. Kurtulmuş who extended his gratitude to all those who work for the unity and solidarity of Turkey concluded his speech saying: “Let me finally express my condolences for our martyrs who sacrifice themselves for this country and  its freedom and sovereignty."

- Karadeniz: “Nevruz Fire of the Turkic World lit in Kastamonu -

The Governor of Kastamonu Yaşar Karadeniz whon also delivered a speech at the event greeted the audience of the Nevruz Celebration held in  Kastamonu, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World  2018 and said: “As winter ends today,  we are more than happy to welcome the spring season  in Kastamonu. Today, we are lighting the Nevruz Fire in Kastamonu. Ensembles from 18 different countries of the Turkic World  have come together in Kastamonu on the occasion of the inauguration of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World which will take place in the presence of our Prime Minister. Kastamonu has prepared itself for today’s celebration  with great care and devotion.Hence, it has also clearly shown how well it deserves this prestigious title. Let me extend my gratitude to our Minister of Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş for his auspices to this celebration which we are particularly honoured to attend in his presence. Let me also greet our distinguished audience and wish  all our guests welcome. Happy Nevruz to all of you!”

- Wonderful performance by artists of the Turkic World -

The opening speeches were followed by a wonderful concert featuring  performances of artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Altai (RF), Bashkortostan (RF), Sakha Yakutia (RF), Dagestan (RF), Kabardino – Balkaria (RF), Buriatia (RF), Gagauzia (Moldova), Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina who received standing ovations from the audience.

The multicoloured traditional garments of artists from all corners of the Turkic World  were particularly appreciated by citizens of  Kastamonu.

The concert was followed by a parade of protocol members and artists who took part in Nevruz events. The parade which also raised  great interest and enthusiasm among citizens of Kastamonu ended with a ceremony in which Minister Kurtulmuş offered saplings to the people. At the end of the event, the Municipality of Kastamonu distributed Nevruz Rice to everyone.