The people of Turkmenistan widely celebrated the light National holiday of spring – Nowruz Bayramy. The origins of the national holiday of spring are traced back to the many-centuries glorious past of the Turkmen people. Having an influence upon the spiritual perfection of our people for a long time, nowadays Nowruz has become a holiday symbolizing the beginning of the new life, awakening and renewal of nature, the spring and the triumph of high moral qualities, goodness and generosity – the features so characteristic of Turkmens.
At present, in the new epoch, filling with new content, this wonderful holiday has reached the new level and gained significance as an integral part of the world cultural heritage acquiring the international status. As is known, Nowruz Bayramy was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on September 30, 2009 with the support of 24 states. Due to cooperation between and on suggestion of Turkmenistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Iran Tajikistan, in February, 2010, the 64th session of the UN's General Assembly adopted the Resolution recognizing the International Day of Nowruz on March 21.
Today, the centuries-old traditions and customs of Nowruz Bayramy have found their reflection in the grandiose colorful show entitled “The holiday of spring of the strong state” taken place in Ahal. The valley at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains covered with emerald green spring grass turned into a big stage for joyful musical festivity that vividly reflected the width of the hospitable soul of Turkmens and the scale of the Turkmen generous dastarkhan always opened for friends and neighbours.
Following the Turkmen people’s good tradition, since early morning, the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains lighted up with morning sunbeams cordially greeted the guests to the national holiday – the cabinet ministers, the heads of the Mejlis, ministries and departments, diplomatic corps accredited in Turkmenistan, leading non-governmental organizations, the elders, journalists, as well as numerous citizens of the Turkmen capital, Ahal and other regions of the country. Children recited poems and sang songs, which welcomed this wonderful spring holiday in old times. Girls dressed in national costumes treated guests with traditional dishes - fluffy, freshly baked churek, pishme, chapada, kulche, various sweets and fruits, and the elders and gray-haired mothers invited everyone to take part in the multi-voiced colorful festivity.
The congratulatory address of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was presented during the festive celebrations. Cordially congratulating the people of Turkmenistan on the National holiday of spring, the Turkmen leader said: “Nowruz is one of the ancient holidays that lives in the souls and memory of many peoples, including Turkmens for many centuries. Nowadays, this light holiday of beauty and inspired life has turned into an international holiday that makes the peoples closer to each other demonstrating the triumph of high principles of humanity and diligence, calling upon for friendship and benevolence all over the world”.
Then, masters of art of Turkmenistan, including the best professional, folklore and dance groups, popular singers, musicians and actors performed a big concert on the improvised stage.
Meanwhile, everything was ready for treating guests in a Turkmen settlement supplied with all inherent attributes of the traditional way of life of Turkmens: the transparent trickles of steam rose up to the sky from coppers, where hot dishes were cooked. Patterned dastarkhans set with national dishes and sweets, and, of course, the main ritual dish of Nowruz ‘semeni’ exhaling the smell of the spring, were laid everywhere.
Festively decorated pavilions, yurtas, and trestle beds covered with carpets were spread out against the background of the magnificent landscape of green foothills. Guests could see all stages of the process of producing Turkmen silk fabrics. Carpet weavers, farriers, and potters demonstrated their skills to the guests. The technique of braiding reed, different shapes and patterns of green young growth of grains were of particular interest to the guests. In short, everything taken place there, including the revived ancient traditions and rituals that are closely bounded with the centuries-old way of life of the Turkmen people.
High swings attached the special solemnity to the holiday. According to the popular belief, swinging on swings rising to the sky, a person becomes purer and enters into a new year with new strength, pure heart and light thoughts. One of the obligatory rites of Nowruz – ‘shaman ot’ - the fire of purification. All participants of the festivity, regardless of gender and age, jump over the fire. It was believed that jumping over the fire people become purer and welcomes the new year healthy and happy.
The fascinating fights of Turkmen wrestlers, as well as the traditional dog, sheep, and cock fights attracted many spectators. Skilful horsemen riding on beautiful Ahalteke horses pranced everywhere. The stirring performances of horse riders, who demonstrated the mastership of trick riding on the manege, as well as rope-walkers added the modern motives to this colorful picture. Exhibition sport performances and the national games presented many joyful moments to the audience.
The flocks of sheep grazing on lush spring meadows guarded by strong Turkmen dogs - Alabays, created the atmosphere of a traditional Turkmen village of farmers who bred a lot of domestic animals in special pens in their yards. The species of elite breeds of sheep, goats, camels and cows were placed in open-air cages.
Turkmen falconers and their pets trained for hunting - falcons and graceful dogs – tazy were of particular interest for spectators.
There were camels with kedzhebe palanquin nearby. In ancient times they were used for wedding procession, as Nowruz Bayramy opened a series of weddings.
The open-air exhibition showcasing the exhibits of the museum funds arranged there allowed the visitors making a fascinating excursion into the Turkmen people’s history. The samples of old tools, ancient house appliances, household items and other relics of the past, as well as agricultural crops grown on thenative land and results of their processing, and the high-quality Turkmen textile and products of the agricultural complex of the country were exhibited there.
The handicraft articles, works of unsurpassed carpet, jewelry and pottery art of Turkmens, and national embroidery were presented at the exhibition. The art vernissage was interpreted as a hymn to the beauty of spring, the Turkmen nature and its gifts, and people living in harmony with it.
It is impossible to imagine a Turkmen holiday without bagshi songs and melodies of dutar. Performances of famous and young masters of this unfading art added a unique charm to the palette of the holiday.
Each region of the country presented its exposition telling about the achievements of velayat in various sectors of the national economy, particularly, in agriculture, industry, culture, etc. The velayat representatives demonstrated the technique of cooking various dishes and traditional national sweets. Plentiful dastarkhans inviting everyone to taste traditional dishes typical to each region, and the variety of dishes and delicacies vividly demonstrated the generosity of the people of Turkmenistan. The best song, dance and folk groups from all regions of the country performed a rich cultural programme near each exposition.
Nowruz Bayramy represents the integrity of high spirit and solidarity of the Turkmen society, the generosity of our native land and nature at the time of the spring renewal and prosperity. This holiday that falls on the vernal equinox, after which the solar day becomes longer than the night, symbolizes the victory of goodness and proclaims the supremacy of the ideals of peace and creaivity.
Today, Nowruz Bayramy has received new attributes: it is widely celebrated with concert programmes in parks and squares, theatrical performances, colorful shows, trade fairs, national games and sports competitions. This light holiday has remained an integral part of the Turkmen people’s national self-consciousness bringing joy to each family, and each home. It should be noted that the festive concerts and festivities on occasion of the National holiday of spring were held in all administrative centers of the regions and in Ashgabat.
At present, in the new epoch, filling with new content, this wonderful holiday has reached the new level and gained significance as an integral part of the world cultural heritage acquiring the international status. As is known, Nowruz Bayramy was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on September 30, 2009 with the support of 24 states. Due to cooperation between and on suggestion of Turkmenistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Iran Tajikistan, in February, 2010, the 64th session of the UN's General Assembly adopted the Resolution recognizing the International Day of Nowruz on March 21.
Today, the centuries-old traditions and customs of Nowruz Bayramy have found their reflection in the grandiose colorful show entitled “The holiday of spring of the strong state” taken place in Ahal. The valley at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains covered with emerald green spring grass turned into a big stage for joyful musical festivity that vividly reflected the width of the hospitable soul of Turkmens and the scale of the Turkmen generous dastarkhan always opened for friends and neighbours.
Following the Turkmen people’s good tradition, since early morning, the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains lighted up with morning sunbeams cordially greeted the guests to the national holiday – the cabinet ministers, the heads of the Mejlis, ministries and departments, diplomatic corps accredited in Turkmenistan, leading non-governmental organizations, the elders, journalists, as well as numerous citizens of the Turkmen capital, Ahal and other regions of the country. Children recited poems and sang songs, which welcomed this wonderful spring holiday in old times. Girls dressed in national costumes treated guests with traditional dishes - fluffy, freshly baked churek, pishme, chapada, kulche, various sweets and fruits, and the elders and gray-haired mothers invited everyone to take part in the multi-voiced colorful festivity.
The congratulatory address of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was presented during the festive celebrations. Cordially congratulating the people of Turkmenistan on the National holiday of spring, the Turkmen leader said: “Nowruz is one of the ancient holidays that lives in the souls and memory of many peoples, including Turkmens for many centuries. Nowadays, this light holiday of beauty and inspired life has turned into an international holiday that makes the peoples closer to each other demonstrating the triumph of high principles of humanity and diligence, calling upon for friendship and benevolence all over the world”.
Then, masters of art of Turkmenistan, including the best professional, folklore and dance groups, popular singers, musicians and actors performed a big concert on the improvised stage.
Meanwhile, everything was ready for treating guests in a Turkmen settlement supplied with all inherent attributes of the traditional way of life of Turkmens: the transparent trickles of steam rose up to the sky from coppers, where hot dishes were cooked. Patterned dastarkhans set with national dishes and sweets, and, of course, the main ritual dish of Nowruz ‘semeni’ exhaling the smell of the spring, were laid everywhere.
Festively decorated pavilions, yurtas, and trestle beds covered with carpets were spread out against the background of the magnificent landscape of green foothills. Guests could see all stages of the process of producing Turkmen silk fabrics. Carpet weavers, farriers, and potters demonstrated their skills to the guests. The technique of braiding reed, different shapes and patterns of green young growth of grains were of particular interest to the guests. In short, everything taken place there, including the revived ancient traditions and rituals that are closely bounded with the centuries-old way of life of the Turkmen people.
High swings attached the special solemnity to the holiday. According to the popular belief, swinging on swings rising to the sky, a person becomes purer and enters into a new year with new strength, pure heart and light thoughts. One of the obligatory rites of Nowruz – ‘shaman ot’ - the fire of purification. All participants of the festivity, regardless of gender and age, jump over the fire. It was believed that jumping over the fire people become purer and welcomes the new year healthy and happy.
The fascinating fights of Turkmen wrestlers, as well as the traditional dog, sheep, and cock fights attracted many spectators. Skilful horsemen riding on beautiful Ahalteke horses pranced everywhere. The stirring performances of horse riders, who demonstrated the mastership of trick riding on the manege, as well as rope-walkers added the modern motives to this colorful picture. Exhibition sport performances and the national games presented many joyful moments to the audience.
The flocks of sheep grazing on lush spring meadows guarded by strong Turkmen dogs - Alabays, created the atmosphere of a traditional Turkmen village of farmers who bred a lot of domestic animals in special pens in their yards. The species of elite breeds of sheep, goats, camels and cows were placed in open-air cages.
Turkmen falconers and their pets trained for hunting - falcons and graceful dogs – tazy were of particular interest for spectators.
There were camels with kedzhebe palanquin nearby. In ancient times they were used for wedding procession, as Nowruz Bayramy opened a series of weddings.
The open-air exhibition showcasing the exhibits of the museum funds arranged there allowed the visitors making a fascinating excursion into the Turkmen people’s history. The samples of old tools, ancient house appliances, household items and other relics of the past, as well as agricultural crops grown on thenative land and results of their processing, and the high-quality Turkmen textile and products of the agricultural complex of the country were exhibited there.
The handicraft articles, works of unsurpassed carpet, jewelry and pottery art of Turkmens, and national embroidery were presented at the exhibition. The art vernissage was interpreted as a hymn to the beauty of spring, the Turkmen nature and its gifts, and people living in harmony with it.
It is impossible to imagine a Turkmen holiday without bagshi songs and melodies of dutar. Performances of famous and young masters of this unfading art added a unique charm to the palette of the holiday.
Each region of the country presented its exposition telling about the achievements of velayat in various sectors of the national economy, particularly, in agriculture, industry, culture, etc. The velayat representatives demonstrated the technique of cooking various dishes and traditional national sweets. Plentiful dastarkhans inviting everyone to taste traditional dishes typical to each region, and the variety of dishes and delicacies vividly demonstrated the generosity of the people of Turkmenistan. The best song, dance and folk groups from all regions of the country performed a rich cultural programme near each exposition.
Nowruz Bayramy represents the integrity of high spirit and solidarity of the Turkmen society, the generosity of our native land and nature at the time of the spring renewal and prosperity. This holiday that falls on the vernal equinox, after which the solar day becomes longer than the night, symbolizes the victory of goodness and proclaims the supremacy of the ideals of peace and creaivity.
Today, Nowruz Bayramy has received new attributes: it is widely celebrated with concert programmes in parks and squares, theatrical performances, colorful shows, trade fairs, national games and sports competitions. This light holiday has remained an integral part of the Turkmen people’s national self-consciousness bringing joy to each family, and each home. It should be noted that the festive concerts and festivities on occasion of the National holiday of spring were held in all administrative centers of the regions and in Ashgabat.