The arrival of spring has an important place in the Turkish thought system

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Education Academic Staff Assist Prof. Dr. Fethi Turan, explained that since ancient times, humanity has been celebrating the arrival of spring and reminded that the arrival of spring has an important place in the Turkish thought system.

Noting that on 21st March, when day and night are equal, the weather warms up, trees sprout, and nature is blessed with abundance, Turan went on to state, "Nowruz, which means the new day or the first day of the new year, heralds the beginning of spring and is the symbol of blessings and abundance."

Stating that it is a concept that encompasses within the Turkic World the independent Turkish states, autonomous Turkish republics and Turkish communities, Assist. Prof. Dr. Turan went on to advise "The geography defined as the Turkic World mainly consists of the Balkans and stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean and all the way to Tibet. Within these borders specified and including independent Turkic Republics, the Turks reside in approximately 20 different states”.

Informing that since the year 1990, Nowruz has been declared as a national holiday by the Central Asian Turkish republics, Turan advised that in order to establish a better relationship with the Turkish world and communities and develop business and unity, in 1991 the Republic of Turkey accepted the week that contains the 21st March Nowruz day, as the Week of the Turkic World and Societies.

Advising that Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus along with the Turkic World celebrate Nowruz as a celebration with a feast, Assist. Prof. Dr. Turan concluded "Nowruz is a common cultural heritage as a nation, where the desire to live together in peace becomes stronger, with reciprocated love and understanding. May Nowruz be a means of blessings, abundance, unity and solidarity”.