ISLAMABAD – Officials and families of Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan embassies, donned in their traditional, national and cultural dresses, came together to celebrate Jashan-e-Nouruz — the day marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar — jointly in National University of Modern Languages on Thursday.
The beautiful embroidered dresses, delicious traditional cookies, dry fruits, savourous foods, sweets, desserts and rhythmic music from Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan were a treat among treats for the students and faculty members of NUML.
The “Nouroz Day” celebrations were inaugurated by Ambassador of Republic of Tajikistan Zubaydullo N. Zubaydov by cutting of ribbon of traditional food stalls. Iranian Embassy Charge De Affairs Mr Rawish, Iranian Cultral Counsellor Dr Sadiqi, Deputy Afghan Ambassador were also present on the occasion. The cultural troupe from Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan presented the soulful tunes and sung some beautiful Iranian cultural songs and mesmerized the audience thronged at IT Auditorium.
Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Tajikistan Zubaydullo N. Zubaydov said “It was pleasant to see that a joint effort was made to celebrate the “Nouroz Day” to share the cultural and traditional understanding with their Pakistani brothers and sisters. Such cultural exchanges not only help people from different countries get closer to each other but also help them to understand the global cultural environment”, he added. Speaking at the occasion, Rector NUML Maj Gen (Retd) Masood Hasan said, “NUML is a place where 26 international languages are taught and the university always appreciates the arrangement of such events that help our students to understand the culture, norms, traditions and society of a particular language they are learning here”.
Head of Russian Department said “today’s programme is dedicated to the New Day, i.e. the first day of the spring which is rejoicing of life and its harmony with nature. Each country has its own customs and ceremonies but one theme is common in all i.e. the joy, which is expressed through dance and songs and of course through food”.
Embassies of Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan also held different stalls where they exhibit the traditional dresses, decoration pieces, photographs and national foods to present that how Nouroz Day is celebrated in their respective countries. Besides this documentaries of each country were also shown in IT Auditorium.