The Interethnic Spring Festival Nowruz took place at PSU as part of the Cultural Marathon project “Around the World in the Second Semester,” in which students of the Institute of International Cooperation from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan took part. Among the guests of honor were: Vice-Rector for International Affairs of PSU Gleb Sintsov, Head of the International Education Office of the Institute of International Cooperation Sergei Ivanchin, Chairman of the Regional Public Organization “Tajik National Cultural Center of the Penza Region” Olimjon Shcherov.

“Nowruz is a traditional holiday not only for international students, but also for more than twenty indigenous peoples of Russia who speak Turkic, Caucasian and Iranian languages. And this suggests that the New Day holiday symbolizes friendship between people of different countries and nationalities, understanding of each other. This is very important in today’s world!”, Gleb Sintsov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of PSU, addressed those present.

Guests of honor, employees and students of the university were introduced to the national culture of the countries, shown souvenirs, books by famous writers, an exhibition of photographs of striking landmarks and traditional clothing of the peoples of Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. PSU international students also prepared a concert programme. Representatives of the regional Armenian national cultural autonomy also became active participants in the holiday. Edinstvo children's center joined the celebration with its exhibition and workshop.

Every year, as part of the festival, the winners of the Kuresh belt tournament, which took place at the university the day before, are awarded. The chief judge of the competition, coach, senior teacher of the Department of Sport and Physical Training, Aleksandr Sobolev, congratulated the students: “The tournament took place, the students are all great! Keep playing sports, develop and achieve all your goals!”

The winners were determined in four weight categories.

Category up to 60 kg
3rd place – Muhammadiyev Muhammad (Tajikistan)
2nd place – Ismoilov Zhavohir (Tajikistan)
1st place – Zhyrgalbekov Nursultan (Kyrgyzstan)

Category up to 70 kg
3rd place – Sharipov Oybek (Tajikistan)
2nd place – Saidulla Uulu (Kyrgyzstan)
1st place – Kanybek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan)

Category up to 80 kg
3rd place – Akmatov Ilyaz (Kyrgyzstan)
2nd place – Nurlanov Namys (Kyrgyzstan)
1st place – Rasulov Ulugbek (Turkmenistan)

Category up to 90 kg
2nd place – Zhorobaev Ariet (Kyrgyzstan)
1st place – Ismonov Mekhroj (Tajikistan)

Photo report from Kuresh Belt Tournament
Photo report from Nowruz Spring Festival