Public Defender’s Statement on Novruz Bayramı Holiday

Novruz Bayramı is celebrated in Georgia, like many other countries, on March 21. The Public Defender of Georgia congratulates the citizens of our country on Nowruz Bayrami and shares the joy of the holiday.

Novruz is a Persian word. One part of the word "nov" means new, while the other part "ruz" means a day. 21 March is regarded as a day of coming of spring, equalization of day and night, snow melting, revitalization of the earth, beginning of a new life, and therefore, Novruz Bayramı is a holiday of spring, while in some countries it is a holiday of a new year.

Novruz Bayramı lasts three days, as a rule. Despite the spread perceptions, Novruz Bayramı is a traditional, ethnic holiday of the large part of oriental nations and not of Islamic nations.

The rule of celebration of this holiday is described in the Man in the Panther’s Skin as well.

In 2010, the UN General Assembly recognized Novruz as an international day. On September 28, 2009, the UNESCO Summit put Novruz on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2010, Novruz was announced as a public holiday in Georgia.