Persian-language speaking expatriates celebrate Nowruz in Germany

Persian-language speaking expatriate communities from Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan celebrated the Nowruz, the start of the New Persian Year, in Germany. The ceremonies were organized by the Iranian, Pakistani, Turkish, Turkmen, Azeri, Kazakh, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Uzbek embassies in Berlin on Sunday. Hundreds of Germans, among them many families, as well as foreign diplomats attended the colorful festivities at Berlin’s Ethnological Museum, featuring traditional music shows from the above mentioned countries. Several guests showcased also traditional dresses and handicrafts from the Central Asia and the Middle-East. A highlight of the Nowruz festivities was also a huge nine-nation food buffet. Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring on the solar calendar, is mostly celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. The International Day of Nowruz was registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on February 23, 2010. For Iranians, Nowruz is a celebration of renewal and change, a time to visit relatives and friends, and pay respect to senior family members. Iranians welcome the New Year by wearing new clothes and setting the Haft Seen, a table containing seven items starting with the letter 'S'; Sabzeh (freshly grown greens), Samanu (sweet wheat paste), Senjed (jujube), Seeb (apple), Seer (garlic), Serkeh (vinegar) and Somaq (sumac).