Interregional Academy of Personnel Management

On March 20, Azerbaijani and Iranian students of the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management continued the celebration of the ancient national holiday Novruz.

Novruz-bayram is a holiday of spring and nature renewal.

Since the celebrations last a whole week, on the eve, on the first day of the holiday, according to a long tradition, students lit a fire, jumped through it, and also launched air torches into the sky. This bright spring event was visited by many students, IAPM staff and guests of the Academy.

And on Monday, March 20, in the conference hall of the Academy students from Azerbaijan and Iran treated the guests to delicious sweets and dried fruits, as they usually treat each other to a holiday with such dishes. The tables were completely filled with different kinds of traditional oriental sweets.

In the center of the hall there is a composition, which personified the Novruz holiday. On the red tablecloth there were green sprouted wheat grains, flowers, candles, water, nuts, eggs and money. Each element of the composition of ancient rites has its own essential importance. So sprouted wheat grains, called "seed" on a plate, tied with a ribbon, signify the awakening of nature from winter. The combination of water and grains of wheat, as well as flowers in vases symbolize fertility. Smoke from candles scares off "evil spirits." As in Ukraine on Easter, and in Muslim countries on the Novruz holiday, eggs are usually painted and tested for strength. And money, it is clear that they are a symbol of wealth in the new year!

Songs and dances are also an integral part of celebrations. There are even rituals when the best dancer is given money! Therefore, the celebration of the spring holiday at IAPM continued in the cinema hall "Ukraine". At the beginning of the concert, the students were heartily congratulated by Svetlana Kosareva, Director of the Institute of International Education of IAPM:

«Dear students! I want to congratulate you on the wonderful Novruz holiday! This holiday is the coming of the new year. Therefore, I would like to wish you all positive changes, new achievements and beginnings in the new year. And I wish you good health, love and good luck in everything. I want every cherished dream to come true! Be healthy and happy!"

Also, the post-graduate student Azer Aliyev and Dr. Sorush joined the congratulations. And Dean for work with foreign students Marina Serednyak welcomed everyone in English!

Students from different countries of the world sang, danced, showed their acting talents, as well as the skill to play musical instruments. With each following number the hall exploded with a squall of applause.

All the participants of the festive performance sincerely thanked the main organizers of the holiday Svetlana Kosareva, Marina Serednyak and Alina Chernysheva for bright and incredible emotions, as well as preparing the celebration of Novruz.

Olga Korobiy