ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan.ru) – President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a government meeting on preparations for the celebration of Novruz holiday (21-22 March). This year Nowruz will be celebrated in Turkmenistan as an international event. The Turkmen government meeting was held in the picturesque valley of Akhal province, which is traditional venue of festive events dedicated to Nowruz.

Nowruz is an antique Iranian and more specifically Zoroastrian festival celebrating the vernal equinox. It symbolizes the end of winter and the arrival of spring, the renewal of nature, the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. In February 2010, the UN General Assembly passed a special resolution declaring March 21 the International Day of Nowruz. This year, many delegations from a number of foreign countries are expected to attend the celebration of Nowruz in Turkmenistan.

Special attention is paid by the Turkmen authorities to construction works in the valley, as well as designing solutions in places intended for performances by foreign and domestic song and music folk groups.