Bokhtar – Tajik citizens and Afghan refugees gathered in celebration of their shared traditional holiday: Nowruz, welcoming the warm days of Spring and marking the Persian New Year.  

IOM in cooperation with UN Women, and with support from the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund and the European Union, provided transport to 200 people, uniting communities and families across the miles for the holidays. 

The full-day event showcased a combination of Tajik and Afghan music and dance, as well as theatre productions on the shared Nowruz traditions. The highlight was the Sumanak preparation; an ancient tradition which involves preparing germinated wheat into a sweet paste for over a week. Afghans and Tajiks alike gathered around the large pot, accompanied by traditional music from both cultures, to stir the Sumanak and cast their wishes for the coming year. 

The traditional dish was then shared, or brought home to share with family and friends.

A public discussion took place with local and national government representatives to raise their concerns and needs on topics on like human rights, safe migration, gender violence, and the rights of landowners.  

For migrants and migrant-sending families all around the world, it can be difficult to celebrate traditional holidays abroad; far from family and friends but coming together to celebrate with host communities deepens cultural connections and forms new shared customs. 

“We are celebrating the New Year together far from our homeland with the honorable nation of the Republic of Tajikistan; and today's event has renewed our hope. We have been able to proudly display our shared customs and cultures with our Tajik brothers and sisters, in the hope that one day we will celebrate the new year again in Afghanistan,” says Abdul, a participant at the event. 

For more information, please contact: Elizabeth Linklater (elinklater@iom.int)