ASA’s students come from more than 100 countries all over the world, including Poland, Brazil, Argentina, China, Japan, India, Russia and Thailand. Diversity of student population and multicultural learning environment are among the key factors contributing to academic achievement and overall successful implementation of educational policies at the college. Celebration of many national and religious holidays is an essential part of student life at ASA for it helps to foster unity and closeness among people from different backgrounds and to learn about cultural traditions of different countries. On March 26th, 2011, ASA College would like to invite everyone to the celebration of the spring festival Navruz, one of the oldest holidays in the world.

Translated from Persian, Navruz means “a new day of the new year” and marks the beginning of a calendar year in Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, western provinces of China and some Central Asia countries. In many republics of Central Asia Navruz is also a state holiday. It usually falls on March 21st, the day of spring equinox when the number of daylight hours equals the number of nighttime hours. Navruz is cheerful and festive and includes gift exchanges, shows, fairs, live music and dance performances. However, there is much more to Navruz: it’s time to celebrate your family, your friends, your good fortunes, the end of a gloomy winter and the beginning of a joyful spring.

The program of Navruz celebration at ASA will include presentations on the history and meaning of the holiday, a fashion show of national costumes, live performances by ASA students, tasting of  traditional Navruz meals and raffles among audience. The event will be held on March 26th, 2011, at 4PM at ASA’s Manhattan campus located at 1293 Broadway, 3rd Floor. The event is free and open to the public.