The 'Nowruz Festival' celebrations, accepted as the symbol of unity, brotherhood, abundance, and spring in our university, were held on March 28, 2024, in the event area in front of the Central Dining Hall.
The celebration event, attended by our Rector Prof.Dr.Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Vice Rectors Prof.Dr. Kasım Yenigün and Prof.Dr.Mehmet Atalan, academic and administrative staff, and students, attracted great attention. The event started with a march from the Kuzeykent Flag Monument to the Central Dining Hall, followed by a reading of the National Anthem and a moment of silence.
During her program opening statement, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülten Küçükbasmacı, the director of the Turkish Folklore Application and Research Center, highlighted the significance of Nowruz in Turkish culture. According to Assoc.Prof.Dr. Gülten Küçükbasmacı, Nowruz symbolizes a centuries-old custom that dates back thousands of years.
Additionally, she said that Nowruz holds a special place in Turkish culture as a representation of fertility, abundance, and the waking of nature. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülten Küçükbasmacı emphasized that Nowruz is an important holiday that strengthens unity and solidarity and that it should be celebrated in order to pass on and preserve our cultural heritage to future generations.
After the opening speech, international students from Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan performed local dances, games, and shows from their respective countries.
At the end of the program, the Kastamonu University Raksan Folk Dance Ensemble took the stage. Raksan Folk Dance Ensemble, which gave the audience unforgettable moments, performed their performances accompanied by traditional Anatolian music. In an event where different cultures meet, Rector Prof.Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal and other participants lit the traditional Nowruz fire and jumped over it after the performances. This was followed by a demonstration of forging iron on an anvil, which historically symbolizes the exit of the Turks from Ergenekon.
At the end of the program, the event ended with thanks to the participants and the teams that performed.
