On March 21^st, 2017 PSU students from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan celebrated Nowruz near the PSU building No. 11. Nowruz is the name of the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, which is celebrated worldwide by the Iranians and Turkic peoples. This festival also marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere according to solar calendar.

Since the very beginning particular attention was given to the nine platforms organized by foreign students from Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Some ethnical and cultural features of the festival were presented there. The platforms hardly admitted all those wishing to participate. Students, teaching staff, university staff and distinguished guests attended the sightseeing platforms of the countries. The representatives of member-states agencies, associations and organizations were among the honored guests.

Prof. Viktor Af. Meshcheryakov, First Vice Rector of PSU, opened the festival. He emphasized the importance of cultural and educational work with foreign students. “In order to live in peace and quiet with other nations it is crucially important to study their cultures, traditions and mindset. And it is also possible thank to such festivals. We highly appreciate the opportunity to celebrate Nowruz with you”.

“Penza State University has 866 foreign students from nine Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries where Nowruz is celebrated. The students from Arab states handed over the Cultural Marathon Cup “Around the world in 2 semesters” to students who celebrate Nowruz. The festival guests were able to visit the exhibition of arts and crafts and master classes in Farsi calligraphy, Turkmenian aladzha talismans plaiting, Turkish baglama playing, Kyrgyz alchiki (asyky) game. Moreover the guests could study national songs, dances and cuisine and even taste national pilaf and sweets,” noted Prof. Sergei M. Vasin, Vice Rector for International Affairs.

“Here at the platforms of Nowruz festival for example in traditional Kyrgyz yurt you may see some things our steppe is famous for, that are the reflections of the dawn lights in bright red colors of our traditional clothes, severity of our climate in interior decoration. Historically my people are nomads and farmers whose lives primarily depended on climate. It comes as no surprise that Nowruz is one of the most significant festivals for all steppe nations as it marks the beginning of spring. This is a moment of hope, joy and renewal,” stressed Ruslan Talantbekov, Kyrgyz student of the Faculty of Instrument Engineering, Information Technologies and Electronics, PSU.

Among the distinguished guests were Nuriya B. Turdakunova, advisor to the Committee on Education and Science, Culture and Sport of Kyrgyzstan, Habibula Z. Gazizov, chairperson of the Republican Board of veterans of war and armed forces of Kyrgyzstan, Asadullo M. Kurbanov, chairperson of the Centre of Tajik national culture “Community”, Torogul N. Bekov, Bahattin Krish and Ali Osman. They highly commended the festival organization.

“We thank the university management not only for giving the opportunity for our students to earn high-quality university degrees, but also for facilitating cultural integration of nations. We thank all the participants for the warmth of their souls and their eagerness to show the richness of their cultures,” Habibula Z. Gazizov emphasized.