TUESDAY-MARCH 23, 2021 Nation 03 More Afghans turn to Celebration of How different countries celebrate plantation of saplings to starts as Nowruz, the Persian mark new year KABUL: Every March, 300 start early — the four Tuesdays of kolcheh Nowrozi (biscuits made With arriving the spring sea- green areas and plantation have million people from across the in the run-up to Nowruz celebrate with rice flour), sabzi Afghan, Iranian world take part in celebrations that the four elements: water, fire, earth challow (spinach and lamb curry son, more Afghans have turned to increased the level of rainfalls in involve leaping over bonfires, per- and air. with rice) and haft mewa, a fruit plantation of saplings to mark the recent years, asking the people to Windsorites mark forming folk music and reciting Throughout this period, fami- salad made with seven dried fruits new 1,400 year in the country. buy and plant each a sapling. poems, cleaning every inch of their lies gather to make traditional past- and nuts soaked in syrup. People have stormed to markets “I always buy and plant sap- homes and eating copious amounts r i e s Across Central Asia, it’s where various types of saplings lings to mark the new year and see the start of spring of home-cooked food in the pro- like paklava, shekerbura and goghal steeped in nomadic tradition are sold. As previous years, this my home green and beautiful,” Se- cess. Nowruz, commonly known (representing the stars, moon and Nowruz is celebrated in all five year a large number of owners of yar said, adding that with planta- KABUL: Spring is just around For Reza Alirezaee, the co- as Persian New Year, is a commem- sun, respectively), as well as of the ‘Stans’; Kazakhstan, Tajiki- the corner, and for the Afghan and owner of Alborz Persian Restau- orchards and farmers have arrived tion of saplings, we will witness oration of spring and fertility, and savoury staples like plov (a saf- stan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan Iranian community in Windsor it rant, the holiday reminds him of marks the overcoming of sorrow fron-infused meat and rice dish), and Uzbekistan. As in , in Kabul with various saplings to clean air and environment in years marks a time of renewal and a new his childhood. and darkness. It’s celebrated not dolma (vine leaves stuffed with festivities in the region were sup- sell in the market. ahead. He further said that Kabul beginning as they prepare to “It brings back memories of only in , but in the likes of lamb, rice and herbs) and fragrant pressed during Soviet times and it Matiullah, a resident of Par- has recently witnessed with in- celebrate Nowruz. Although the Iran, of my hometown, my cul- Azerbaijan, and coun- kebab. wasn’t until the 1990s that Now- wan, is selling saplings in one of creasing pollution; therefore, it was pandemic is putting a bit of a damp- ture,” he said. “It was a really fun tries across Central Asia, as well Like Iran, there’s also a table ruz was publicly celebrated again. Kabul markets. In his interview necessary to buy and plant sap- er on the festivity for the second time. So I always remember that. as their diasporas around the globe. of seven ‘s’ items, which are all Traditions across the region have with The Kabul Times correspon- lings with arriving the spring sea- year in a row, it’s still being ob- Seeing family. It [was] just a great Nowruz, which means ‘new centered around similar characteristics dent, Matiullah said he has brought son. served by some. feeling.” day’ in Farsi, marks the first day the semeni (shoots of wheat tied (think plenty of food, family gath- different saplings to the market. In Kabul city, plantation drive Nowruz, which translates to But with the pandemic enter- of the Persian calendar and falls at together with a red ribbon). The erings, colorful street festivals and the same time as the spring equi- holiday is particularly loved by nomadic sports), although they can “As you see, there are differ- of saplings started on 10th of “new day,” is celebrated on the day ing its second year, he also won’t of the spring equinox. It marks the be able to celebrate like he’s used nox (usually on 20 or 21 March). children here, who pass the time vary slightly from country to coun- ent types of saplings for selling,” March as the day has been declared beginning of the new year on the to doing. Although it’s a secular holiday, it’s by throwing hats at neighbors’ try and sometimes even city to Matiullah said, adding that more as National Day for Plantation of Persian calendar by more than 300 “Of course it makes us very widely believed to be rooted in doors before hiding and hoping to city. people have turned this year to Saplings across the country. Rele- million people all around the sad that we can’t see all our friends, Zoroastrianism — one of the return to a hat full of sweets and In Kazakhstan, ‘Nauryz’ is purchase saplings for plantation vant government institutions have world, according to the United all our loved ones that we usually world’s oldest monotheist reli- chocolate. marked by the building of felt yurts and nearly 120 – 1,500 saplings started the drive in various parts Nations. celebrate with,” he said, adding gions, dating back 3,000 years and The country is taken over by (traditional nomad houses), in were sold on daily basis. of the country. It’s an ancient holiday that has that he’s going to be spending the preceding both Christianity and street festivals involving tradition- which a dastarkhan (a table of He said that he has brought Meanwhile, Afghanistan Na- been celebrated for more than 3,000 holiday with his immediate family Islam. The Muslim conquest of al song and dance, tightrope-walk- food) is laid out; nauryz koje, a 6,000 saplings from Parwan, add- tional Environmnet Protection years and observed in The Bal- and speaking with other loved Persia in the seventh century led ing and the comical characters of hearty soup made using seven in- to Zoroastrianism being slowly Kecel and Kosa, who theatricalise gredients, is almost always on the ing that currently people were in- Agency (NEPA) has declared that kans, Central Asia, the Middle ones virtually. East, South Asia and other regions. Keeping the spirit alive eradicated, but its fundamentals — the struggles between winter and table. In Kyrgyzstan, huge vessels terested in purchasing both fruit- it is determined that 25 million sap- People tend to celebrate the Yet Shiva, Alirezaee and his including a deep reverence for the spring. The largest festival of this of water are brought into the home ful and non-fruitful saplings. lings both fruitful and non-fruitful holiday by wearing new clothes, family are still keeping the spirit four elements of nature — stayed kind is held in the capital, Baku. on the eve of ‘Nooruz’ to symbol- “Fortunately, the people of saplings are going to be planted cleaning their homes and prepar- alive by following pandemic- put and birthed this public holi- Other Azeri traditions include ize good health. Traditional sports Afghanistan are interested now in across the country this year. Since ing traditional food such friendly traditions, including grow- day still celebrated by millions painting eggs; jumping over roar- like wrestling, horseracing and planting saplings to celebrate the the starting of the national drive as samanak — a sweet paste made ing wheatgrass — called sabzi — across the Muslim-majority region. ing bonfires; fortune-telling to fore- board games are all customary new year,” Matiullah said, stress- for plantation of saplings, more from homegrown wheatgrass which is used on the haft- Although the principles of see if and when girls will get mar- when it comes to celebrations in ing that living in peaceful environ- than 2.8million saplings have been and haft-mewa — “seven fruits,” seen table — a display of seven Nowruz are the same, each coun- ried; and visiting the graves of rel- this region. try weaves in its own unique tra- atives. For Kurdish people, it symb- ment is one of the top desires of planted across the country. It is a mixture of dried fruit and nuts symbolic items whose names start ditions — and spells it slightly dif- Afghanistan is thought to be olises identity and freedom the people. He hoped the new year determined that the drive contin- soaked in water. with the letter “s.” Bas Bibi Shiva, an Afghan poet Each item on display repre- ferently. In 2016, it was added to the celebration’s spiritual home ‘Newroz’ is celebrated among would bring peace and prosperity ues during coming weeks. in Windsor, said she would usual- sents something positive for the UNESCO’s Representative List of For the most the 30 million-strong Kurdish to vulnerable people of Afghani- In consideration to importance ly explore the outdoors with her coming year, including good health, Intangible Cultural Heritage of part, Afghanistan heralds the new communities across Iraq, stan. of plantation of different saplings loved ones in Afghanistan, but that love, beauty and patience. Humanity, recognising a celebra- year in a similar way to its neigh- and Syria, as well as the ethnic He asked the people to plant a and reduction in air pollution, all hasn’t been the case in Canada in While it may not be the new tion that’s withstood, quite re- bors. It’s celebrated predominant- Kurdish population of Iran. In ad- sapling to have a clean air and en- people are responsible to take part the last two years. year they had envisioned, markably, three millennia of chang- ly in the north of the country, par- dition to the general festivities, it’s vironment in years ahead. in plantation of saplings to mark “We’re in quarantine, so I don’t Alirezayi and Shiva hope to cele- ing regimes and religions. ticularly in the Balkh province, also a celebration of a Kurdish Meanwhile, Seyar, a resident the new year so that they can go anywhere,” she told CBC News brate Nowruz with loved ones In Iran, it’s a bedrock of tradi- which some believe to be the spir- myth: a blacksmith named Kawa, tion and culture itual homeland of ‘Nowruz’. Al- who defeated the evil King Zuhak of Kabul who was purchasing a breathe in clean air in years ahead. in Dari, one of the languages spo- again next year. ken in Afghanistan. The Kabul Times Nowruz is Iran’s biggest holi- though contested, it’s said that and freed his people on the eve of sapling, told The Kabul Times that Shukria Kohistani day and a momentous time across Zoroaster, the ancient Iranian Newroz. As such, the holiday the country. It usually kicks off with a spring-cleaning ritual Spirit of Nowruz ‘more New appointments made called khane tekani, which trans- lates to ‘shaking down the house’. vital than ever’, Guterres Once the home is in order, on the for necessary reforms in last Wednesday before Nowruz, Iranians light up the streets and says, marking skies for , or security organs ‘Red Celebration’, in honour of all International Day things fire — an element Zoroas- New appointments in minis- Afghanistan High Council for Na- trians believe to be a symbol of tries of defense and interior have tional Reconciliation Dr. Abdullah purity. been met with different reactions Abdullah by pointing to recent People set off endless fire- from Afghan military experts. In appointment in the country’s de- works, jump over bonfires (to their interviews with The Kabul fense and security sector said de- symbolise renewal of life) and re- Times correspondent, Afghan mil- cision in connection with sacking lease sky lanterns fille---d with itary experts consider the new ap- Masoud Andarabi as minister of their hopes and dreams for the year pointments in the country’s secu- interior has been against political ahead. The new year is usually rity sector as necessary for reforms agreement, saying that the decision announced by Haji Firooz, a fic- in the country’s defense and secu- was against the country’s national tional, tambourine-playing charac- rity organs. interests. ter with ambiguous origins. In cit- They believe that it is neces- Meanwhile, Afghanistan Na- ies like Yazd and , a festi- sary that reforms should be im- tional Security Advisor Hamdul- val called honors fire for the 50 days and nights that precede plemented in the country’s securi- lah Muhib has said that the new Nowruz. ty organs particularly within min- appointments have been made for And when it comes to celebra- istries of interior and defense rath- necessary reforms in leadership of tory food, there’s an abundance of er then high-ranking security offi- the country’s defense and securi- it. Traditional Nowruz dishes cials are sacked with increasing in- ty organs, improvement in securi- KABUL: In generations, highlighting that the include kookoo sabzi (a herb frit- securities or terrorist attacks. ty situation and protection of the a message commemorating commitment in the 2030 Agenda tata) and ba mahi (a “We should take urgent and life of people as well as better ex- the International Day of for Sustainable Development to herby rice dish with white fish). precision step in making a regular ecution of the self-sufficiency pro- Nowruz, Secretary-General “leave no one behind” is more es- But perhaps the most symbolic security system as professional gram. António Guterres recalled that last sential than ever. observance is haft-sin, the custom security officials should be ap- “The changes have been made year, Nowruz celebration coincid- “I offer my best wishes to ev- of setting a table with seven items pointed in security organs. Be- for reforms rather than political,” ed with the early days of an un- eryone marking Nowruz. May this beginning with the letter s (seven sides, considerable changes within Muhib said, adding that it is deter- precedented and devastating glo- day advance happiness, health and is believed to be a lucky number). the country’s defense and securi- mined that new military faces will This can include sabzeh (sprouted prophet who founded Zoroastri- symbolizes not only the start of a bal pandemic. harmony to all.” ty organs can help maintain better take urgent steps in improvement lentil or wheat), which symboliz- anism, lived and first preached in new year, but also freedom for the “This year, the Nowruz spirit Promoting peace and solidari- security in the country,” said Mir- of security and rule of law and es rebirth; seer (garlic) for good Balkh, one of the oldest cities in Kurdish people, who are the is more vital than ever.” ty za Mohammad Yarmand, former counter crimes in the country. health; serekh (vinegar) for the world. world’s largest stateless group. “Today, we can start to see In 2009, Nowruz was in- deputy minister of interior. Another Afghan military ex- patience; seeb (apple) for beauty; Nowruz was banned under the In other parts of the world light at the end of the tunnel … As scribed on the UN Educational, He said that overall coordina- pert Atiqullah Amarkhil says in and , a sweet paste made Taliban regime of the 1990s, who After the Muslim conquest of the world comes together to Scientific and Cultural Organiza- tion was needed between the coun- recent years they have witnessed from that’s a considered it a pagan festival, but the seventh century, most Persian defeat COVID-19, Nowruz serves tion (UNESCO)’s Representative try’s defense and security organs. considerable changes in leadership Nowruz staple in every celebrat- many families still celebrated in Zoroastrians fled to India. Today, as an inspiration to recover and List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Dawlat Waziri, former military of the country’s defense and secu- ing country. The display also tra- private. These days, thousands of their descendants, the Parsi peo- rebuild in a more just and durable of Humanity as a festivity of rich officials, says corruption can be rity organs, but unfortunately no ditionally features a goldfish (rep- Afghans head to the city of Maz- ple, still practice Zoroastrianism way, in harmony with nature”, he diversity promoting peace and sol- rooted out in defense and security changes have come in security sit- resenting life), a mirror, candles ar-e-Sharif, in the Balkh province, and celebrate ‘Navroz’. Other mi- added. idarity across regions and genera- sector if professional military cad- uation. He said that with new ap- and a holy book. to attend the Guli Surkh festival; norities who mark the occasion Nowruz, which marks the first tions. res are appointed within the min- pointment they hoped some im- For , it’s a nod to Nowruz’s main event, it commem- include the Turkic Uyghur people day of spring and the renewal of The following year, the UN their fiery past orates the first 40 days of the year, of China and the Lezgins and Ta- istries of defense and security. provement in security situation in nature, is celebrated by more than General Assembly welcomed its Reminders of Azerbaijan’s when the green plains are awash tars of south Russia, as well as “Due to continued delay in re- the country. 300 million people all around the inclusion on the List, Zoroastrian past are everywhere with red tulips. minorities in parts of the Balkans, forms in security organs, security Based on new appointment world and has been celebrated for and recognized 21 March as in the country, whether in its fire Buzkashi, Afghanistan’s na- Mongolia, Pakistan and Bang- challenges have increased recently announced by presidential office, over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the International Day of Nowruz. temples, burning hillsides or tional sport, is a popular custom ladesh. Diasporas around the world in the country,” Waziri said, add- Hayatullah Hayat has been intro- the Black Sea Basin, the Cauca- It also urged Member States to flame-shaped skyscrapers. Al- during Nowruz. It’s somewhat also host elaborate celebrations, ing that increasing threats and se- duced as acting minister of interi- sus, Central Asia, the Middle East raise awareness about and to orga- though ‘Nowruz’ was stifled here similar to polo, but instead of a with many to be found in cities curity challenges have caused that or, Yasin Zia as acting minister of and other regions. nize annual events in commemo- under the Soviet regime, families ball, the horseback players maneu- across the US thanks to the coun- reforms or strategic development defense and Ayoub Salangi as dep- In his message, Mr. Guterres ration of the festivity, as appro- continued to celebrate in secret, ver a headless, disemboweled dead try’s significant Iranian American faced with challenges. uty minister of interior. also noted the importance of soli- priate. and today, it’s the most joyful date goat. During an Afghan Nowruz population. On the other hand, head of Suraya Raiszada darity between communities and The Kabul Times on the Azeri calendar. Festivities feast, expect to find the likes Monitoring Desk