― 16 марта 2013 г.
WELCOME SULTAN NEVRUZ
The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) which was founded upon signature of its founding agreement by the Ministers of Culture of Turkic Republics in 1993 to explore, keep alive and promote Turkic culture accross the World is preparing itself to celebrate the Nevruz Feast. As in previous years, the Nevruz celebrations will be full of joy and enthusiasm in 2013 too.
After Nevruz celebrations held by TURKSOY not only in Turkey and Turkic Republics but also in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and in Strasburg in 2010, and in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations in New York and in Washington in 2011, the joy and enthusiasm of Nevruz which reaches more and more people every year will be felt not only in Turkey but also in London, the capital of Great Britain this year.
Once again, the spectators will be enchanted by the colorful performances of nearly 250 artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, the Altai Republic (RF), Bashkortostan (RF), Gagauzia (Moldova), the Khakas Republic (RF), the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia (RF), Tatarstan(RF), the Tyva Republic (RF), Crimea (Ukraine), the Kirkuk Turkmen people of Irak and the Autonomous Uyghur Region of Xinjiang (PRC).
20 Concerts to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of TURKSOY
The International Organization of Turkic Culture which celebrates the 20th anniversary of its foundation in 2013 will mark this as an unforgettable momentum of its history through the performance of 20 concerts to celebrate the Nevruz Feast.
The Nevruz Fire which will be lit in Istanbul on March 17th, 2013 will be the starting point of Nevruz Celebrations which will then be held in Eskisehir, Ankara, Manisa, Yozgat, Cankiri, Kastamonu, Amasya, Denizli, Develi, Balikesir, Talas, Karaman, Kahramanmaras and Nevsehir.The closing event of Nevruz Celebrations in 2013 will take place in Adana on March 30th, 2013.
This time the NEVRUZ Fire will reach out to London
In addition to the celebrations which will take place in 15 cities of Turkey, the city of London will also be hosting artists of the Turkic World within the framework of the Nevruz Feast.
After the "Nevruz Celebrations” which will be held at the Cambridge University on March 26th, 2013, TURKSOY will share the the joy of Nevruz with thousands of citizens of London at the Westminster Central Hall on March 27th, 2013.
NEVRUZ PROGRAMME IN ENGLAND
March 26th, 2013 : London, Cambridge University Cultural Center 06.00 pm
March 27th, 2013 : London, Westminster Center Hall 07.00 pm
NEVRUZ PROGRAMME IN TURKEY
March 17th 2013 : Istanbul, Municipality of Eyup, Concert Hall, 12.30 pm
March 19th 2013 : Istanbul, Municipality of Zeytinburnu, Concert Hall, 06.00 pm
March 20th 2013 : Istanbul, Municipality of Bagcilar, Concert Hall, 06.00 pm
March 21st 2013 : Eskisehir, Osmangazi University, Congress Center, 06.00 pm
March 21st 2013 : Istanbul, Municipality of Kucukcekmece, 06.00 pm
March 21st 2013 : Istanbul, Concert, 01.00 pm
March 22nd 2013: Ankara, Faculty of Music of the Gazi University, Concert Hall, 04.00pm
March 23rd 2013 : Ankara, Gençlik Parkı – Havuzbaşı Square Ulus 12.00 pm
March 23rd 2013 : Manisa, Governorate of Manisa 07.00 pm
March 23rd 2013 : Yozgat, Municipality of Yozgat 06.00 pm
March 24th 2013 : Ankara, Municipality of Etimesgut 02.00 pm
March 24th 2013 : Cankiri, Cankiri Cultural Center, 07.00 pm
March 25th 2013 : Kastamonu, Kastamonu University Concert Hall, 06.00 pm
March 25th 2013 : Amasya, Governorate of Amasya, 06.00 pm
March 25th 2013 : Denizli, Municipality of Denizli, 06.00 pm
March 26th 2013 : Develi, Develi Cultural Center, 01.00 pm
March 27th 2013 : Balıkesir, Municipality of Balıkesir, 06.00 pm
March 27th 2013 : Talas, Municipality of Talas, 07.00 pm
March 27th 2013 : Karaman, Municipality of Karaman, 07.00 pm
March 29th 2013 : Kahramanmaras, Kahramanmaras University Concert Hall 11.00 a.m.
March 28th 2013 : Nevşehir, Municipality of Nevsehir, 07.00 pm
March 30th 2013 : Adana, Governorate of Adana, 07.00 pm
MARCH 21ST - INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NEVRUZ
The Nevruz Feast which has been included in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO in 2009, is officially recognized by the United Nations. Pursuant to the session of the General Assembly of the United Nations held on December 2nd, 2009 , March 21st has been declared as "International Day of Nevruz”. In this declaration, the General Assembly of the United Nation urges Nevruz celebrating countries, the UNESCO as well as other intergovernmental organizations and NGOs to cooperate with a view to ensuring the promotion and celebration of Nevruz.
TURKSOY: THE CULTURAL BRIDGE OF THE TURKIC WORLD
TURKSOY which is an international organization of cultural cooperation established in order to explore, promote and transmit Turkic culture to future generations has been celebrating the Nevruz Feast with variousevents since 1995.
As an international organization which shares the same principles and goals as those of the UNESCO, the scope of TURKSOY’s activities is not limited to its member countries. Indeed, through its Nevruz celebrations, TURKSOY also supports and contributes to the intercultural dialogue and rapprochement. As a matter of fact, TURKSOY has held Nevruz Celebrations in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and Strasburg with the contribution of more than 100 artists from 8 countries in 2010 followed by the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York as well as in Washington in 2011. Through these celebration events it organized, TURKSOY has not only promoted the rich Turkic culture but also contributed to the creation of new intercultural bridges thanks to the universal language of culture and art.
The 2013 Nevruz Celebrations will be realized in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, the Promotion Fund of the Prime Ministry of the Republic of Turkey and the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World along with many municipalities and universities.
WHAT IS NEVRUZ?
"Nevruz”, also known as "Nowruz” is celebrated by the peoples of Eurasia as a tradition symbolizing the "New Day”, in other words, it announces the arrival of spring and stands for the abundance, fertility, and liveliness of the awakening nature. It is the symbol of love, brotherhood, sharing, peace and friendship. Nevruz is the day on which Mother Earth restarts breathing and becomes green again. The history of the Nevruz tradition dates back to five thousand years. As the most significant day of the Turkic World, it is called by different names such as Navrız, Yeni Gun, Ulu Kun, Mart Dokuzu, Cil Pazi, Canı Kun, Shagaa, Isıah and Yengi Kun and celebrated with much joy and ethusiasm.
As a tradition which is part of our cultural heritage it is the most important feast of the Turkic World and strengthens the feeling of unity among its peoples. This feast which announces the beginning of a new year also symbolizes the revival of nature and brings along new hopes and wishes. This may be something which makes it unique in the world. Of course, Nevruz does not only stand for the joyful revival of nature. Indeed, this is also a period in which the human body and soul renews itself. With the beginning of a new year, feelings and ideas are also renewed. Therefore, besides bringing along the joy and excitement of nature’s revival, it also symbolizes hopes and positive wishes of all human beings on earth.
All Turkic countries owe their power not only to strong social ties solidly binding Turkic peoples together through their historical continuity bu also to a strong historical heritage based on precious values such as solidarity, tolerance, humanness and brotherhood.
This day which used to be considered as the first day of a new year by ancient Turks and Iranian people, is called ‘‘Nevruz’’ in Persian language. Nevruz means ‘new day’’. This day on which the sun enters the sign of the Aries, i.e. March 21st according to our calendar, is also the day of the vernal equinox, on which day and night are of eaqual duration.
Turkic Speaking Peoples believe in Nevruz as the Messenger of renewal, revival and new strength bringing along the renewal of natüre and the human soul. As it can be seen on the First Calendar of Turkic peoples with Twelve Animals, Nevruz is a very ancient tradition which has been celebrated throughout history and still is being commemorated with various ceremonies today. According to the Celali Calendar once prepared for the Seljuk Sultan Melikshah, the day on which the sun enters the zodica sign of the Aries is considered as the beginning of the new year. It is also known that Seljuk Emperors used to be enthroned in March and celebrated Nevruz together with the people.
The Nevruz Feast which symbolizes goodness, beauty, virtue, correctness, happiness and peace is nowadays being celebrated in many countries. Its history is as old as humnaity itself. Today, it is being celebrated in similar ways under different names in many countries ranging from China to the Balkans. After their declaration of independence, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have declared March 21st as an official holiday.