The third International Nowruz Celebrations have kicked off in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe in the presence of presidents of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. In the opening of the ceremonies on Sunday, Iranian, Afghan, Pakistani and Tajik presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hamid Karzai, Asif Ali Zardari and Emomali Rakhmon stressed the importance of strengthening amicable relations and bonds.

Iran first organized the International Nowruz Celebrations after the International Day of Nowruz was registered on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in February, 2010.

The second International Nowruz Celebrations were held in Tehran in 2011. The third Nowruz festivities are underway in Dushanbe over a proposal by the Tajik leader.

During his three-day stay in Dushanbe, President Ahmadinejad is scheduled to deliver a speech during the Nowruz celebrations and hold talks with senior officials of countries attending the event.

Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring on the solar calendar, is mostly celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

It is an ancient festivity that promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among different peoples and communities.