BEIJING: Pakistan’s rich culture coupled with regional costumes and traditional cuisines drew attention of participants at a reception arranged to mark International Nowruz Day at the Secretariat of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing on Tuesday.
Pakistan Embassy in Beijing set up a stall to showcase Pakistani culture, food, and traditional dresses offering the audience a rare glimpse of rich Pakistani culture and traditions.
Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Zhang Ming, SCO Secretary General, ambassadors of SCO nations and representatives of international organizations as well as prominent public figures, journalists, and cultural representatives of the SCO family attended the reception.
Addressing the participants, Zhang Ming welcomed the distinguished guests and expressed gratitude to the heads of diplomatic missions of the Shanghai family for their help and active participation in the celebration of Nowruz.
He said that Nowruz is a traditional festival in many SCO nations like the Spring festival of China, it symbolizes the return of spring, the passing of the old year and the start of the new year.
With its long history, it is a festival filled with philosophical insights and a combination of folding wisdom and traditional virtues. It embodies an attitude of equality, optimism, sincerity, inclusiveness, kindness, respect for nature and love for life.
Zhaning Ming said that the celebrations of the festival are of great importance for many nations in the SCO family, especially this year as the secretariat celebrates the 20th anniversary of its establishment.
Spring Blossoms in Beijing
Luckily, the joyous atmosphere stays unchanged, and now Beijing has warmer weather and spring blossoms in the city. It is the most beautiful time of the year, he said.
The secretary-general commended the national handicrafts and gourmet food prepared and showcased by nations of the SCO family on the occasion.
On behalf of Kazakhstan chairmanship of SCO, Kazakh ambassador Shakhrat Nuryshev extended congratulations to all attendees and said today Nowruz has become one of the brightest and favorite holidays of many people around the globe.
He said that Nowruz play a significant role in preserving cultural diversity and strengthening good unneighborly and friendly ties between the SCO member countries.
During the festival, China, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkiye, Iran, Mongolia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and UAE also set up stalls and showcased their culture and traditional food.
Nowruz is a global holiday that has been celebrated for thousands of years by people living in different nations covering the large territory from the Balkans and South Caucasus to Central and South Asia, as well as Russia and Western China.
Nowruz is usually observed on March 21-22 and is celebrated by over three hundred people in the world.
