ANKARA - Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said Friday "Nevruz" was the day of friendship and peace referring to the beginning of spring.
"Let the children and young people live in days when beliefs and ideas are tolerated and people show respect to each other," Gunay said at a ceremony held in Ankara to mark the Nevruz festival.
State Minister Murat Basesgioglu, Culture Minister Gunay, National Education Minister Huseyin Celik, Kecioren Mayor Turgut Altinok, Azerbaijan`s Ambassador in Ankara Zakir Hasimov, and students from various schools in Ankara attended the ceremony.
-OLDEST FESTIVAL OF THE WORLD: NEVRUZ-
Nevruz, the world`s oldest festival which is celebrated by festivities under various names in many communities, is being celebrated in the Turkish World as "the exit of Turks from Ergenekon" and "the beginning of the new year in Turkish calendar with 12 zodiac divisions represented by animals" since 5000 years.
Some accept this day as the day God created Earth, some as the day Prophet Noah stepped on Earth after the Flood. Some accepts it as the day first human-being is created, and some as the messenger of Spring.
All dwellings are cleaned for the Nevruz which is believed to be the day when everyone`s fate is determined and the day when all diseases, evil, misfortunes, and troubles disappear. Various games are played, and special meals are cooked to mark the Nevruz. After eating the meal together, people exchange greetings with each other for a happy new year. Then, they visit graves of their beloved ones. Those who offended to each other, are reconciled. People extend a helping hand to the poor, the forlorn, and the elderly. Young people wishing their dreams to come true, jump over a Nevruz Fire.
-EXIT FROM ERGENEKON-
In accordance with a common belief in the Turkish World, Nevruz is considered as the day when the Gokturks departed from Ergenekon and obtained their independence. In Ergenekon Epic of Ebulgazi Bahadir Khan`s famous work named "Secere-i Turk" (Genealogy of Turks), it was told that the Turks who had to live in a valley surrounded by high mountains for 400 years, left the valley when spring started, returned to their homeland, and gained their independence. Therefore, March 21 symbolizes the independence day. During Nevruz celebrations, especially the Turks living in Central Asia, read out Ergenekon Epic to express the importance of Nevruz to the new generations.
According to another belief, March 21, the beginning of the 12-animal Turkish Calendar, symbolizes refreshment of the nature, and beginning of spring. Snowdrops which bloom in these days, are called as "Nevruz Flower". Babies who are born in Nevruz, are given the first name of Nevruz.
(AY-MS)