Spring arrives with Navruz
The solar New Year—Navruz—is one of the oldest holidays of the Turkic peoples; it is a much-loved and eagerly awaited occasion for many, including the residents of the Omsk region. On a warm April day, national-cultural associations representing the Kazakh, Tatar, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik, Azerbaijani, and Kurdish communities joined the House of Friendship to present a festive program.
Procession and prologue
It all begins with a procession in the square by the House of Friendship
Representatives from several districts of the Omsk region have gathered for the celebration
Vibrant national costumes look stunning in the sunlight
Ethnic diversity is our country's strength and pride
A choreographed prologue opens the concert program
Soon, in keeping with tradition, sweets will be showered upon everyone present
Navruz is a folk festival, yet the Imam’s words of wisdom resonated with everyone
The long wait for the official proceedings to conclude is almost over
The warm words from the regional government representative are not to be missed
Everyone is listening intently—young and old alike
Next, the leaders of national-cultural associations take the stage
They each address the crowd in their native languages
With the greetings concluded, it’s time to dive headfirst into the festivities!
Sweets are tossed into the air; a generous Navruz promises a prosperous year ahead
Festive dishes even make an appearance in the dance performances
Those staying near the stage are in for a truly uplifting experience
Spirited rhythms and talented children—what more do you need to lift your spirits?
Emotions are running high, and you want to share them with the whole world
Interactive zones
But let’s take a stroll across the square—starting with the market stalls
The aroma of *pilaf* instantly grabs your attention
It is simply impossible to leave the Navruz celebration hungry
Kazakh *baursaks* are prepared right before guests' eyes in a matter of minutes
These fresh, diamond-shaped doughnuts are snapped up just as quickly
Tatar cuisine is well represented
Sales of Azerbaijani pastries are brisk
Every culture has its own Navruz recipes, and tasting them all is quite a challenge!
And it’s definitely worth taking a couple of delicious Uzbek flatbreads home with you
Many of the interactive areas are dedicated to sports
The themed photo zones are a hit
But the most striking shots are captured during the action and competition
