On March 29th, the International Office and the Departments of Political Science and Geography sponsored a Persian New Year celebration, Norouz. The Persian new year starts on the first day of spring and is celebrated by many nationalities in the Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, Black Sea Basin, Balkans and the Caucuses. With its Zoroastrian origin, the celebration of Norouz has been taking place for 3,000 years. In 2010, the United Nations recognized Norouz as one of the world’s cultural heritages. More than fifty students, faculty and staff attended.
