Sunday March 12, 2017
Kabul (BNA) Security and cultural officials in northern Balkh province reported on taking necessary measures for Nawroz celebration.
Mohammad Salih Khaliq, head of information and culture department in Balkh told that Nawroz Festival is held as a national and cultural move and will be continued for forty days. Nawroz celebration is held with taking special measures in Mazar-e-Sharif, due to which a commission has been established under chairmanship of the province’s governor, Ustad Atta Mohammad Noor.
The related commission has 9 committees that are responsible for paintings, decoration, lightening, cleaning, procurement, etc. in the province. On activities of the cultural committee, Khaliq said our work was mostly related to media, as since beginning of Hoot 15, all Balkh media outlets provide Nawroz programs as well as they cover Nawroz news as live. During Nawroz celebration, many new media outlets and cultural centers will be inaugurated as well as poetry and cultural exhibitions would be held with the presence of officials from Kabul and Balkh provinces. Necessary preparations will be taken for Samanak Festival, Khaliq said, adding likewise, Afghan singers and musicians are being invited by traders to Mazar-e-Sharif to hold concerts.
At the same time, Hasibullah Quraishi, police commander of public order and security in north said that since the last one week, we have taken necessary measures for Nawroz festival in Balkh. He added mobile patrols have been started in Mazar-e-Sharif and the province’s districts. Security officials in Balkh province have reported on ensuring security of Nawroz festival while currently, armed Taliban and other terrorist groups are doing their best to conduct subversive activities in its neighboring provinces. Nawroz is widely celebrated in Afghanistan. Also knows as Farmer’s Day, the observances usually last two weeks, culminating on the first day of the New Year, March 21. During the Taliban rule (1996-2001), Nawruz was banned and considered an ‘ancient pagan holiday centered on fire worship’. Preparations for Nawroz start several days beforehand. Among various traditions and customs, the most important ones are as following: Guli Surkh Festival, literally means Red Flower Festival (referring to the red Tulip flowers) is the principal festival for Nawroz. It is celebrated in Mazar-e-Sharif during the first 40 days of the year when the Tulip flowers grow in the green plains and on the hills surrounding the city. Janda Bala, it is celebrated on the first day of the New Year, and is attended by high-ranking government officials. The ceremony is performed by raising a special banner whose color configuration resembles Derafsh Kaviani. As well as, Buzkashi, Haft Mewa (literally translates as Seven Fruits), and Samanak are among the celebrations marked during New Year Festival.
Karima Malikzada
