When will Novruz Bayram be in the year? Navruz Bayram is a spring holiday! Traditions of celebrating Navruz

The Muslim holiday of Nowruz has been celebrated for almost 5,000 years, that is, it is one of the most ancient holidays that humanity knows. Translated from Persian (Farsi), the word Navruz means “new day.” Indeed, this holiday symbolizes a new stage in the annual cycle: spring replaces winter, nature comes to life, and the time for agricultural work begins. As a matter of fact, Navruz can be considered an analogue of Maslenitsa, which also marks the arrival of spring.

There is a legend that the holiday is associated with the name of the legendary Persian Shah Jamshid. It was said that the Shah possessed a mysterious cup that contained the elixir of life. Many researchers have no doubt that later Shah Jamshid's cup went down in history as the Holy Grail. On the day of the vernal equinox (March 21), the elixir of life could acquire special power thanks to magical rites and rituals. This is exactly how the Navruz holiday appeared: its main goal was to give the Shah even greater power and authority over this world, and people - prosperity and prosperity for the whole year.

Preparing for Nowruz

Navruz is celebrated on March 21st very pompously and cheerfully. Two weeks before the holiday, wheat and lentils are sown on large dishes. By the holiday, green sprouts should appear, symbolizing the beginning of a new annual cycle. These sprouts become the main decoration of the holiday table. A week before the holiday, they thoroughly clean their houses, throwing out all unnecessary and old things, and even make small repairs: cleanliness on Navruz should be impeccable. Also in the pre-holiday week, they commemorate their deceased ancestors, go to the cemetery, bring them offerings (wheat cakes) and ask for protection of their home and their family. An important part of preparing for the holiday is washing. All clothes must be washed well, washing away the bad energy from them. It was believed that poorly washed clothes on Navruz would bring illness and misfortune to the house.

Festive table for Navruz

The festive table for Navruz should be very generous and rich. A week before the holiday, the wheat is sprouted again, and holiday bread or flatbreads are baked from it. There should be 7 products on the table, the names of which begin in Arabic with “sin” (apples, rue seeds, garlic, vinegar, sprouted grains, wild olives and black olive pits). The letter "sin" in Arabic is a symbol of higher power and divine protection. Therefore, these products take pride of place on the table. And the main dishes of the festive meal on Navruz are guja (boiled cereals with meat) and sumalak (halva). Of course, there should be many other dishes on the table: traditional pilaf, cheese, fish and... colored eggs. As you can see, the traditions and customs of peoples of different religions very often intersect.

Fortune telling for Navruz

Navruz is the best time for fortune telling for marriage. The girl must throw her shoe over her head: if it falls with its toe away from her, she will marry, if it turns its toe towards her, there is no point in planning a wedding yet. Also, on a festive evening, you can inadvertently eavesdrop on your neighbors’ conversations: if the conversation is pleasant, the next year will go like clockwork; if you hear swearing and swearing, trouble awaits you.

Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The Navruz holiday, from time immemorial, embodies the noble values and wonderful traditions of our people, their good thoughts and aspirations, which is the priceless heritage of our ancestors, during the years of independence became a truly national holiday, the onset of which is eagerly awaited by all our compatriots, regardless of their nationality, language and religion.

Considering the growing role and significance of Navruz, symbolizing the beginning of a new year according to the eastern calendar, the awakening of nature, the harmony of man and the surrounding world, a truly national holiday, the most beloved by the people, in further strengthening in our society an atmosphere of kindness and mutual understanding, humanism, generosity and creativity, education of the younger generation in the spirit of national and universal values, in order to carry it out at a high level:

1. Approve the composition of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the national holiday Navruz in 2016 in accordance with the appendix.

The Organizing Committee, within ten days, will develop a plan of organizational, practical, cultural and educational events aimed at holding the Navruz holiday in our capital - the city of Tashkent, in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regional centers, in all cities, districts and villages as a nationwide sayil.

2. When preparing an action plan, pay special attention to:

organization of spiritual and educational events that promote a deep understanding that during the days of Nowruz a person feels even more fully his inextricable connection with nature, his native land, appreciates its generous gifts even more and is imbued with a feeling of gratitude for the current peaceful days;

wide coverage during events in all cities and villages, in the media, of the history of the Navruz holiday, the essence and meaning of the values, customs and traditions associated with it;

holding charitable events imbued with the spirit and philosophy of Nowruz - the ideas of goodness and mercy, friendship and harmony - aimed at showing comprehensive attention and care for representatives of the older generation, providing selfless assistance to all people in need of support;

organization during the days of Navruz, which is a symbol of the beginning of a new season in agriculture, renewal of life - in mahallas, cities and villages of khashars, large-scale work on improvement and landscaping;

involvement in the preparation of holiday programs in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional centers and the city of Tashkent of folklore groups, amateur art groups, family ensembles, folk storytellers - bakhshi, as well as professional artists and talented pop performers on a competitive basis;

inclusion in the holiday programs of the best examples of folk art, classical melodies and songs, lapars glorifying ancient customs and traditions, noble human feelings and qualities.

3. Establish that the celebrations are financed by:

in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regions - at the expense of local budgets, as well as sponsor organizations;

in the city of Tashkent - at the expense of the republican budget and the local budget of the city of Tashkent in equal shares.

4. It is recommended that the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan, the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, the Jahon information agency and other media outlets widely cover the progress of the preparation and holding of the national holiday Navruz.

5. Control over the implementation of this resolution is entrusted to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. Karimov

Tashkent city,

The essence of the holiday is a solemn welcome of spring. About two weeks in advance, wheat or lentils are sown on the dishes. By the holiday, their green sprouts should reach 5-7 centimeters and become a table decoration, a symbol of the birth of a new life, the New Year. Closer to the holiday, the grain is sprouted again to become the basis for the holiday dish.

The onset of the New Year is preceded by symbolic rites of purification. On “Wednesday of Joy” (the last Wednesday before Nowruz), bonfires are lit on the streets of cities and villages, and people must jump over one bonfire seven times or over seven bonfires once. On the last night of the old year, it is customary to splash each other with water and jump over running water to cleanse oneself of last year's sins.

There is a belief that with the advent of Nowruz, good angels (fereshta) descend to earth. They give people abundance and prosperity, joy and hope. But angels, according to legend, went around houses in which enmity was hidden and where they forgot to tidy up for the New Year. Hence two very important rituals of Nowruz: thorough cleaning on the eve of the holiday and the need to forget hostility and quarrels. Also, on the eve of the holiday, you need to receive the blessing of parents and elders, distribute or forgive debts.

According to popular belief, on the night before the first day of the holiday, all household members had to be at home, otherwise they would have to wander in a foreign land for seven years; It was not supposed to go to visit and receive guests. The whole family, having put on new holiday clothes, gathers at the traditional table, on which they place new dishes, a mirror and light candles according to the number of family members. These candles cannot be extinguished until they burn out completely. Everything that is put on the festive table in one way or another is associated with the symbolism of spring revival, fertility, prosperity, fun and joy. In addition to numerous dishes, it necessarily contains seven items, the names of which in Persian begin with the letter "sin" ("s"): rue seeds - sipand, apple - seb, black seeds - siakhdane, wild olive - sanjid, vinegar - sirke, garlic - seer and sprouted grain - sabzi. Another set of seven items is possible, for example, in Iran it includes a sekke - a coin; serke - vinegar; sir - garlic; sumac - spice; samanu (among other peoples sumalak) - a dish for the preparation of which grains of sprouted wheat are used; sanjed - oleaster berry; sabze - greens, flax and cereal seeds sprouted in water, symbolizing the revitalization of nature. In Afghanistan, this set includes mushrooms (somarek).

Be sure to serve on the table a large festive bread or cakes, a bowl of water on which a green leaf should float, a bowl of rose water, fruits, nuts, almonds, fish, rooster, milk, curdled milk, cheese, colored eggs.

In Iran, the festive table must include a vessel with water in which a live fish swims, symbolizing a happy life, full of activity and movement.

On the holiday, traditional pilaf is served, but the main dishes of the New Year's table everywhere remain special dishes: guja (for some peoples halim or khalisa) and sumalak (sumalak, samanu), which are prepared only once a year, exclusively for the New Year's table. Guja is made from seven types of grains with the addition of meat, which are boiled until smooth. Halim (khalisa) is a porridge made from wheat and meat, in some peoples with the addition of peas and vegetables. Sumalak is halva, which is prepared from sprouted wheat with small additions of flour and sugar. Only women prepare sumalak, and guji or halima (khalis) are prepared by men. To prepare sumalak, all the women of the village (in cities - housemates) gather in the evening and prepare food in one common cauldron, stirring the cauldron in strict order. The prepared dishes are divided among the housewives, and each takes her portion home to her family.

As a rule, they try to serve as many different dishes and sweets as possible on the festive table. Everyone should be well-fed and happy: then the year will be prosperous and fruitful.

In Navruz, it is not customary to lend money, so as not to deprive the house of wealth. At the same time, there was an unwritten custom on the days of the spring holiday to give people Navruz-payi - a holiday share. A tray of holiday treats is sent to neighbors and friends and is not supposed to be returned empty.

The festive ritual is not limited to the feast. On this day, children go from house to house and sing songs about Navruz, and they are given sweets. Artists perform on the streets, wits compete, songs and jokes are heard. Relatives exchange visits and give gifts.

In rural areas, after the celebration of the first day of Nowruz, field work usually begins. The first furrow is made by the most respected and oldest member of the village community. I relied on Navruz to feed domestic animals in the best way; planting any trees, especially chestnut, fig and mulberry, was a good deed. It is customary to visit the sick and lonely.

In ancient times, Navruz was celebrated for 13 days. This tradition has been preserved in Iran, where out of 13 days, the first five are dedicated to celebrating Nowruz and visiting family and friends. The ninth day is known as Shahryaran Nowruz (Shah's Nowruz), and the thirteenth day as Sizda-bedar ("The Thirteenth Outside the House").

On the thirteenth day of the new year, people leave their homes and go out of town, or gather in parks and gardens, where the holiday continues. They spend this day outside the house so as not to bring trouble into the house. This belief has remained since ancient times and is associated with the number thirteen.

During these unique picnics, people eat sweets and sherbet to make the year sweet and happy.

Along with traditional rituals, such ritual and festive events of Navruz as festivals, competitions, mass processions, sports games, etc. have now gained recognition.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Those who miss the New Year holidays need not despair - literally one of these days another New Year will come, this time the Persian one, which is called Nowruz. This is a New Year's holiday according to the astronomical solar calendar among the Iranian and Turkic peoples.

When is Nowruz celebrated?

Nowruz celebrated on the vernal equinox 21 March. Other names for the holiday are Novruz (this option is suggested, for example, by Wikipedia), Nauroz, Nauryz, Navrez. Translated from Persian it means “new day”. March 21 is also celebrated International Nowruz Day, since this holiday, one of the oldest, is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Who celebrates Nowruz, and in which countries it is banned

It's not that simple. The fact is that this holiday has nothing to do with Islam - it is much older and is a national tradition of the Iranian and Turkic peoples. Officially, Nowruz began to be celebrated in the 4th century BC. followers of Zoroastrianism in the Achaemenid Empire, founded by this Persian dynasty in Asia and part of Europe, and which extended from the Indus River in the east to the Aegean Sea in the west, and from the first cataract of the Nile in the south to Transcaucasia in the north. After the Islamization of the Middle East, the celebration of Nowruz did not stop, but it is celebrated only by representatives of the peoples who lived here before the arrival of the Arabs, before the spread of Islam and the emergence of the Arab Caliphate.

The Arabs themselves do not celebrate Nowruz. In Turkey, the official celebration of Nowruz was prohibited from 1925 to 1991. In Syria, this holiday is still banned.

Currently, Nowruz is a public holiday in Turkey, Iran, India, Pakistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, some other countries and certain regions of the Russian Federation.

The meaning of the holiday Navruz

Navruz appeared more than three thousand years ago as a holiday of agriculture; its origin is associated with the emergence of the agricultural calendar, which depended on the spring equinox. The origin of the holiday is not exactly known. According to Persian mythology, a hero was buried on this day Siyavush, killed by a Turanian Afrasiyabom. The holiday is also associated with the worship of the spirits of deceased ancestors, which was later reflected in Zoroastrianism, which in ancient times was the official religion of Iran. Navruz became one of the seven main holidays of Zoroastrians; it coincided with the end of winter and the threshold of spring and turned into a holiday of remembrance of the souls of ancestors. Also, this holiday was associated with the cult of fire, which the ancient Zoroastrians considered the life force and worshiped.

Traditions of Nowruz

The traditions of Navruz also came to us from antiquity; they symbolize renewal and entry into a “new” life. Before the holiday arrives, you need to pay off all debts, clean your home and surroundings, and prepare special holiday dishes.

This occurs according to a special ritual, which includes the composition of haft-sin and haft-shin-a. Haft-sin consists of seven elements whose names begin with the letter "C" in the Persian alphabet. Haft Shin also consists of seven elements, the names of which begin with the letter “Sh” in the Persian alphabet. These are the famous sumalak (a dish made from sprouted wheat), sipand, sirke (vinegar), semeni, sabzi (greens) and some other products, mainly of plant origin.

It is also customary to place a mirror, candles and colored eggs on the table. These items have a symbolic meaning: a candle is a fire that protects a person from evil spirits. The egg and mirror symbolize the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one.

How sumalak is prepared

The most famous Nowruz dish sumalak prepared from sprouted wheat grains, which are ground and then boiled in a large kettle in cottonseed oil with the addition of flour for almost a day. Sumalak should be prepared with songs, dances and cheerful choruses. Small stones are added to the cauldron during cooking to prevent the dish from burning. Anyone who gets such a pebble on their plate can make their deepest wish, and it is believed that it will definitely come true. Sumalak is eaten chilled. This ritual dish is believed to give people physical and spiritual strength.

Congratulations on Nowruz

Here are several options for poetic congratulations on Navruz that can be sent to those who celebrate this holiday.

We celebrate Navruz Bayram,

Nowruz comes to every home,

Today we welcome spring

With her drop and warmth!

May this holiday be merry

It will bring you happiness, joy,

And sumalak is already in every home

Waiting for your loved ones!

I am sending you, friends,

Congratulations on Nowruz.

Let Nowruz come to you

With a very valuable, kind cargo!

That load is rich in joy,

And love and patience,

And great friends

And in a good mood!

Both wealth and skill

Let him put it in this load

The kindest, most glorious,

Our good holiday - Navruz!

Navruz - Eastern New Year,

It is celebrated in March.

On this day every year

Winter meets spring!

And on this day winter, sighing,

He gives way.

Spring, laughing at her back,

Comes into its own!

I congratulate you, friends,

Happy Nowruz, Happy New Year.

I wish you health

And a barrel of happiness with honey!

Federal News Agency joins in the congratulations.

Navruz is a holiday of the spring equinox and the beginning of a new agricultural year among the Persian-speaking and some Turkic-speaking peoples of Kazakhstan, Central and Asia Minor, Iran, as well as among the Bashkirs and Tatars. Nowruz means “new day” in Farsi. Its spelling and pronunciation may vary in different countries - Nowruz, Navruz, Nuruz, Nevruz, Nauryz, Nooruz, etc. It is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox - March 21. Navruz symbolizes the renewal of nature and man, the purification of souls and the beginning of a new life.

In September 2009, Nowruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and at the end of February 2010, the 64th session of the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as “International Nowruz Day.”

The Navruz holiday is one of the most ancient on Earth. It has been known since pre-Zoroastrian times and was celebrated even before the 7th century BC. In the state of the Achaemenids (VI-IV centuries BC) and Sassanids (III-VII centuries AD), Navruz was considered the main holiday. The ancient Greek historian Strabo wrote about this holiday: “In the most ancient, ancient times and to this day, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia (Syr Darya and Amu Darya) gather on this day in the Fire Temple. This is the most revered holiday, when merchants close their shops, artisans stop work, everyone is having fun, treating each other to those drinks and foods touched by the fire."

It is believed that the origin of the holiday is ancient Iranian, associated with the cult of the Sun and the name of the legendary prophet Zarathushtra (spelling variant - Zoroaster, Zardusht).

According to legend, many legendary events took place on this day: “Zarathushtra was chosen by God to bring happiness to people,” the mythical king Tahmuras “sent evil divas and ruthless people to prison,” and “Goshtosp, Princess Kaetun and Jomosp accepted the faith of Mazdayasna,” those. Zoroastrianism, etc. The origin of Navruz is also associated with the mythical king Jamshid, on whom the rays of the sun fell on that day.

The oldest source where the celebration of Nowruz is mentioned is the holy book of Zoroastrianism “Avesta”. According to the teachings of the Avesta, people should celebrate the emergence of life on earth every spring, which arose “in six forms” (sky, water, earth, plants, animals and humans).

The celebration of Nowruz on the day of the spring equinox is associated with the emergence of the solar calendar, which appeared among the peoples of Central Asia and Iran seven thousand years ago, long before the emergence of Islam. According to him, the year began in the spring on March 20 or 21, on the day of the vernal equinox, when day equalizes night and spring finally comes into its own. The time is coming for a new field harvest, a time of worries and hopes for the farmer.

This is how Nowruz differs from the Muslim New Year, since the Muslim calendar is based on the lunar annual cycle. Since the year according to the solar calendar contains 365 (366) days, and the lunar calendar - 354 (355) days, the beginning of the lunar year and all dates of the lunar year relative to the solar year move approximately 11 days ahead.

The Muslim lunar year begins with the month of Muharram, that is, the new year begins on the 1st day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Muslim calendar.

The Muslim year is not tied to the seasons, the months migrate across all seasons, with the result that the beginning of the year, for example, may fall in the Gregorian summer months, and after some time - in the winter.

In ancient times, the date of Navruz was determined by astrologers. Now they have been replaced by astronomers who calculate the date of the arrival of Navruz with an accuracy of the minute. In 2011, the Day of the Vernal Equinox, i.e. when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and moves from the southern hemisphere to the northern, it will be March 21 at 02.21 Moscow time.

According to old Turkic legends, this day was the day when the Turkic people escaped from encirclement. In other words, on this day the Turks left Ergenekon (an area surrounded by mountains). Therefore, Navruz was accepted by the Turks as the beginning of the New Year and is celebrated to this day.

Rooted in the traditions of ancient farmers of the Middle East and Central Asia, the holiday not only survived the Arab conquest, but also became an integral part of the culture of many peoples professing Islam. In the CIS it is celebrated as a national holiday by Tatars, Kazakhs, Bashkirs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Uzbeks and many other peoples.

In a number of countries, Nowruz has been declared a public holiday, and March 21 is a day off.

The significance of this period of the year for the lives of people since ancient times has given rise to many customs and rituals associated with magic, the cult of nature and fertility, and beliefs in dying and resurrecting nature.

Long before the holiday, about two weeks, wheat or lentils are sown on dishes. By the holiday, their green sprouts should reach 5-7 cm and become a table decoration, a symbol of the birth of a new life, the New Year. But the preparations do not end there. Closer to the holiday, the grain is sprouted again to become the basis for the holiday dish.

Before Navruz, you need to repent of your sins, reconcile with your enemies, and forgive your debts. During the days of Nowruz, good farishta angels bring abundance and prosperity to those who have pure thoughts, who are bright in soul, who have a tidy house, because people believed that the purity of the space around a person reflects the clarity of his inner state. In addition, good angels will not even look at vindictive and harmful dirty people.

Therefore, before Navruz, the owners try to put the house in order, whitewash and repair it. Also, before the holiday, houses are decorated and garbage is removed from the street.

Be sure to wash clothes, especially children's clothes - after all, children are considered most susceptible to the evil eye, and water should wash everything away. Even before Islam, the week before Nowruz was considered dedicated to the souls of ancestors. They commemorated their ancestors by making offerings to them and asking them for help in the coming year and protection from harm.

Nowruz is a time of fortune telling. Particularly interested in this are ignorant girls, who this evening throw a shoe over their head and determine by the direction of its toe whether they will stay in their parents’ house for another year or move to their betrothed’s house.

In addition, on a festive evening with the onset of Nowruz, it is customary to eavesdrop on neighbors’ conversations through windows or doors, and, depending on the pleasant or unpleasant conversation heard, determine how successful or unsuccessful the coming year will be for both the eavesdroppers and the owners.

The holiday itself begins in the dark, when, having put on new clothes, the whole family gathers at the table, on which new dishes are placed. A special table is set for Navruz and they call it “haft-sin”. There must be seven (haft) products on the table, the names of which begin with the Arabic letter "sin": rue seeds - sipand, apple - seb, black seeds - siahdane, wild olive - sanjid, vinegar - sirke, garlic - sir and sprouted grains - sabzi.

Another set of seven items is possible, for example, in Iran it includes a sekke - a coin; serke - vinegar; sir - garlic; sumac - spice; samanu (among other peoples sumalak) - a dish for the preparation of which grains of sprouted wheat are used; sanjed - oleaster berry; sabze - greens, flax and cereal seeds sprouted in water, symbolizing the revitalization of nature.

The magical seven objects and products on the table become a symbolic gift to the Sun, which, accepting this gift, must take care of a rich harvest.

In addition, a mirror is placed on the table and candles are lit according to the number of family members, which cannot be extinguished until they burn out completely. Be sure to have a large festive bread or cakes, a bowl of water on which a green leaf should float, a bowl of rose water, fruits, nuts, almonds, fish, a rooster, milk, curdled milk, cheese, colored eggs. In ancient times, each of the components had a special significance for the next year’s harvest, for the destinies of family members. Now this symbolism is lost, but the tradition remains.

Pilaf is being prepared. After all, in Central Asia, not a single holiday is complete without it. But the main ones on the table will be guja (for some peoples halim or khalisa) and sumalak (sumalak, samanu). The process of preparing these dishes is long and labor-intensive. They start preparing them in the evening and spend the whole night before Nowruz. Only women are involved in preparing sumalak, and guji or halimah (khalisa) is done by men. Guja is prepared from seven types of cereals with the addition of meat, and everything is boiled until smooth. Halim (khalisa) is a porridge made from wheat and meat, in some peoples with the addition of peas and vegetables. And sumalak is halva made from sprouted wheat sprouts, which are ground and then boiled in a cauldron in cottonseed oil (in some peoples, water) with the addition of flour. These dishes are very healthy because they are rich in vitamins and amino acids.

To prepare sumalak, all the women in a large family, and in cities - neighbors, gather around huge cauldrons, taking turns continuously stirring them so that the dish does not burn. The night turns into women's gatherings with conversations, songs and even dancing. The main thing is not to burn. In the morning, sumalak is distributed to everyone who participated in the preparation of the dish or contributed their share of food. In turn, these people treat their relatives and friends with it, delivering it in bowls from home to home.

After cooling, the dish is served to the table. At the same time, it is believed that from the image that appears on the surface of the sumalak, they determine what the New Year promises, and the dish itself endows people with physical and spiritual powers.

The host hands the guests who come to the holiday a dish with barely sprouted grain, the consumption of which symbolizes participation in the rebirth of all living things.

The festive ritual is not limited to a sweet, kind feast. On this day, children go from house to house and sing songs about Navruz, and they are given sweets. Artists perform on the streets, wits compete, songs and jokes are heard. Fun and laughter continue until late in the evening, and in the morning the celebration continues, although not with the same pomp, but simply in the home circle.

In ancient times, Navruz was celebrated for 13 days. At the end of the celebrations, people went out into the field, where they celebrated the New Year. That was the sign. It was believed that those who went out into the field to enjoy nature during these days would be accompanied by happiness and prosperity throughout the coming year.

This tradition has been preserved in Iran, where the celebration of Nowruz usually lasts for 13 days, of which the first 5 days are devoted to celebrating Nowruz and visiting family and friends. The ninth day is known as Shahryaran Nowruz (Shah's Nowruz), and the thirteenth day as Sizda-bedar ("The Thirteenth Outside the House").

People, together with their relatives, spend the 13th day of spring in the lap of nature, as if reconciling with nature. It was believed that those who went out into the field on these days to enjoy nature would be accompanied by happiness and prosperity throughout the coming year. And thus the festivities associated with the onset of the New Year end with a visit to the ever-living nature and reflection on the signs of creation.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources