Penza State University hosted the Interethnic Spring Festival Nowruz. The event was attended by students of the Institute of International Cooperation from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. Representatives of the Tatar national-cultural autonomy of our region also took an active part in the celebration.

The guests were greeted by the following honored guests: Gleb Sintsov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of PSU; Olimdzhon Sherov, Chairman of the Regional Public Organization "Tajik National Cultural Center of the Penza Region"; Satimbay Berdiev, Chairman of the Public Organization of the Local Uzbek National-Cultural Autonomy of the City of Penza; Zhigansha Tuktarov, Chairman of the Council of the Regional Public Organization "Tatar National-Cultural Autonomy of the Penza Region", as well as directors of the institutes and deans of the faculties.

The guests of honor, employees and students of the university were introduced to the national culture of the countries. They showed souvenirs, books by famous writers, an exhibition of photographs of striking landmarks and traditional clothing of the peoples of Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. 

PSU international students prepared a concert. In addition, representatives of the regional Armenian national and cultural autonomy became active participants of the holiday. Representatives of the Tatar autonomy also contributed to the exhibition and ended the concert with a vocal performance.

Every year, the festival includes an award ceremony for the winners of the Kuresh belt tournament. The competition was held at the university the day before Aleksander Sobolev, chief judge of the competition, coach, senior lecturer of the Department of Sport and Physical Training, was also present at the celebration as an honorary guest.

The winners were determined in four weight categories.

Weight up to 60 kg:
3rd place - Rovshen Omurov, Turkmenistan
2nd place - Nursultan Zhyrgalbekov, Kyrgyzstan
1st place - Maksat Kulyev, Turkmenistan

Weight up to 70 kg:
3rd place – Babanazar Khudaiberdiev, Turkmenistan
2nd place – Namys Nurlanov, Kyrgyzstan
1st place – Kanybek Uulu Ishak, Kyrgyzstan

Weight up to 80 kg:
3rd place – Gochchy Gochchyyev, Turkmenistan
2nd place – Ariet Zhorobayev, Kyrgyzstan
1st place – Toyly Baylyev, Turkmenistan

Weight up to 90 kg:
3rd place – Begench Bakhtiyarov, Turkmenistan
2nd place – Mekhrodzh Ismonov, Tajikistan
1st place – Ulugbek Rasulov, Turkmenistan