Nauruz 2010- Setting the Stage

Nauruz is always a joyous, happy celebration on the Steppe, and this year was no exception! We set off from our house to the City Square which is only a few hundred yards away. All of the city festivals are held here, and, to be sure, the Nauruz Celebration is one of the largest and most elaborate of the year.

The weather is usually chilly- some years we’ve had to wear our heaviest coats, others just a sweater. This year, under a bright blue spring sky, we ended up wearing our normal winter coats, as a breeze was blowing, and the temperature a chilly 50 degrees or so. It seemed that many people from all over our neighborhood wanted to be in the middle of the action, as we saw many of them heading the same way around 9:30 in the morning. Some wore their finest traditional clothing with hats and headscarves to match. From little children, to the oldest grandparents, there would be something fun or interesting for all.

I took many pictures of our exciting day, so you’ll have to bear with me as I present them in several installments by theme. Today, I thought I’d share some of the yurts and other general decorations set up to provide an authentically “Steppe” experience- truly, not much has changed over the centuries! I think you’ll agree that there is a general feeling of joy and festivity as we celebrated the advent of spring!

The centerpiece of the Square was the stage set up for the “Welcoming of Spring Pageant”. I love how they had made a special background of an ancient city wall to set the tone of the dance/theater presentation.





Banners like this were hung up around the Square on the buildings. I thought they were quite well done:






One of the fundamental elements of a yurt is called the Shangurak (Shong-uh-rahk). It is the circular piece that holds up the roof of “ribs” that come off of it. Today, it is symbolic of “a household” or “home”, and is often used metaphorically in blessings. An example might be, “May your shangurak be high!” or “May you have many children under your shangurak.” Here is one placed as a central decoration at our Nauruz Festival this year:




Placed around the Square were 30 or so yurts of all sizes and shapes. Most were put up by different private companies, and were elaborately decorated inside. They were meant to host their employees to a grand feast inside where tables laden with heaps of food were laid out. These were off-limits to the general public, but as we walked by, we could see the people inside laughing and dancing and having a great time.

Here are a few to give you an idea of the variety:





Next time I’ll share some of the many colorful costumes worn by young and old!