A ceremonial event dedicated to the International Day of Nowruz was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris
On April 7, 2026, a ceremonial event dedicated to the International Day of Nowruz was held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The event was organized by the Permanent Delegation of Turkmenistan to UNESCO together with the Permanent Delegations of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The event took place in the UNESCO reception hall and featured a rich cultural program, including a concert, a tasting of national dishes, and a thematic exhibition.
The Turkmenistan exhibition stand showcased traditional handmade carpets, national jewelry, and souvenirs reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people. Guests were also offered a tasting of traditional Turkmen cuisine.
Particular attention of the participants was drawn to the performance of a musical group led by Serdar Haidarov, a top-category musician of the pop-symphonic orchestra “Türkmen äheňleri” of the State Circus of Turkmenistan. The program included compositions performed using traditional Turkmen instruments such as the dutar and the gyjak. The performance was warmly received by the audience.
As part of the cultural program, a fashion show was also held featuring a collection by Turkmen designer Govher Pirkuliyeva, as well as designers from Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, demonstrating the diversity and beauty of national costumes.
The guest of honor at the event was UNESCO Deputy Director-General Mr. Eponi Kwaku Okyem-Boamah. Among the attendees were representatives of French ministries and institutions, international organizations, the diplomatic corps accredited to UNESCO and in Paris, as well as members of the diaspora, the public, and the media.
It should be noted that in 2016, Nowruz was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a joint multinational nomination of 13 countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
