Bektashi believers celebrate Sultan Nevruz today/ What does this holiday symbolize?

2026-03-22 08:24:00, Aktualitet CNA

Bektashi believers celebrate Sultan Nevruz today/ What does this holiday

March 21 marks the beginning of spring, but for many people around the world it is also Sultan Nowruz Day, or as it is otherwise known, the Persian New Year.

Although most countries in the world celebrate it on March 21st, in Albania this holiday is celebrated by Bektashi believers on the 22nd.

So what is Sultan Nevruzi?

Nowruz, which means "new day" in Persian, has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years. Traditionally, it begins as soon as the spring equinox occurs. In the Iranian calendar, today is the first day of the year, which also marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

Nowruz is celebrated in the Middle East, Central Asia, India, Georgia, and Albania. It usually lasts three days. Bektashi believers visit each other and then perform religious rituals. As one of the most important holidays, they do not forget to exchange gifts or visit each other's homes.

As for the table, there should never be any shortage of water, eggs, candles, and greenery. People help those in need, and according to tradition, believers distribute milk and sherbet, which symbolize the purification of body and soul.

On holiday days, Bektashis plant flowers in their homes or place olive branches at the entrances of doors and gates.

This day is an official holiday in our country. In addition, most Albanians do not forget to celebrate by setting the table with the symbolic foods of March 22.

The traditional dishes of Nowruz are pies with a coin inside, which according to tradition, whoever finds it among the family members will have a good year. Roasted meat and of course the traditional dessert, sultjashi, should not be missing from the table.

This dessert, which is based on milk that symbolizes mother's milk, rice that symbolizes abundance, and sherbet that is taken while singing in the tekke. /CNA