📍Astana, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿

My Second NOVRUZ 🌷

For those who followed me last year when I was in Iran, surely you remember the story of Novruz, the holiday celebrated in this part of the world. Persian, spring New Year, call it Novruz as you wish, but in any case, it's a symbol of new birth and hope.

Novruz falls around March 21st, when spring officially begins on our calendar, always on the vernal equinox, when day and night are of equal length. The roots of Novruz celebrations come from the religion of Zoroastrianism, considered the precursor to many world religions. Over the centuries, Novruz has often been banned in these countries, either due to strict conservative Islamic rulers or the Soviets, but the tradition has managed to survive to this day. It's a very joyful holiday, but also the longest celebrated, lasting from 10 to 14 days!

Last year, I celebrated Novruz in an Iranian home, with my friend Farshad who used to live in Serbia, in an intimate atmosphere, and this year at a gala celebration at the Astana Opera. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan organized a grand celebration for diplomats, and it was a great honor for me to be among them. Many ambassadors came dressed in their traditional attire, making the celebration even more emotional. I didn't expect such an event, so maybe my wardrobe wasn't the most adequate. I don't think anyone minded; everyone thought I was some kind of athlete 😁

There was dancing, singing, getting acquainted with Kazakh culture, customs, and food.

The most interesting encounter for me was with the "berkutchi" and "batyr." Berkutchi were once hunters of golden eagles, and today they are guardians since hunting wild eagles is prohibited; only those from strictly controlled breeding grounds are allowed. Berkutchi symbolize the love between man and bird. The eagle is the berkutchi's best friend, whom he must care for and regard as a family member. When the berkutchi tames the eagle, it becomes his hunter, mostly for foxes. Among most Turkic peoples, the golden eagle and falcon are sacred animals.

About the batyrs, Kazakh warriors and the only people taller than me in Kazakhstan 😄 I'll write about them a little later, as we're yet to meet them.

Let me know if you knew about the Novruz holiday and how you like such a celebration! 🫶🏽

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