
March 21 marks the beginning of spring, but for many people in the world it is also the start of Sultan Nowruz, or as it is otherwise known, the Persian New Year.
Although most countries in the world celebrate it on March 21, in Albania this holiday is celebrated on the 22nd.
But what is Sultan Nevruzi?
Novruz means 'new day' in Persian and has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years. Traditionally it starts as soon as the vernal equinox occurs. This holiday also marks the first day in the Iranian calendar.
Nowruz is celebrated in the Middle East, Central Asia, India, Georgia and Albania.
Usually, this celebration lasts for three days. Bektashi believers exchange visits with each other and then perform religious rites. They help people in need and according to tradition, believers distribute milk and sherbet, which symbolize the purification of the body and soul.
On the days of the holiday, the Bektashis plant flowers in their houses or place olive branches at the entrance of the gates.
The traditional foods of Nevruz are the pie with the coin inside, which, according to tradition, whoever finds it among the family members is waiting for a good year. Roasted meat and, of course, the traditional dessert that is 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 sung in teke.