IRNA � The countries celebrating Nowruz in a different act held a food festival in the United Nations.

Nowruz (meaning new day in Persian) marks the first day of spring.

The Persian New Year is celebrated across the world by various countries, particularly Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, countries falling within the Former Yugoslavia, Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.

It was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 by the UN.

As the coordinator of the program, Iran mission in the United Nations suggested holding food festival instead of boring and repetitive speeches.

Speaking to IRNA, Ali Hajilari, secretary of the festival said the event indicated that despite cultural differences between countries, food tastes of countries celebrating Nowruz are the same.

This, he said, indicates integration of these countries.

Referring to participation of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in the festival, he said the event is aimed at presenting Nowruz culture.

In addition to food, every country displayed a cultural video clip, Hajilari noted.