Ban Ki-moon Secretary General of the United Nations issued a message on the occasion of the International Day of Nowruz evoking the power of culture to promote peace.

In a statement Ban Ki-moon writes: “On this International Day of Nowruz, I offer my best wishes to those who celebrate, and express hope that all people can use the occasion to reflect on the beauty of nature, the promise of spring and the power of culture to build peace.”

The International Day of Nowruz, also spelled as Norooz, was placed on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010 recognizing its over three-thousand-year history. More than 300 million people worldwide celebrate Norooz and in Iran it marks the beginning of the calendar year celebrated at Spring Equinox.

Radio Zamaneh