Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN Gholamali Khoshroo, said Iranian culture is a culture of peace, friendship, vitality and brilliance in a message congratulated Iranians on advent of new year.

'Nowruz—literally a 'new day'—brings families and friends together to bid farewell to the past year and to make wishes for the coming one. Nowruz is the most prevailing durable and inclusive tradition in Iranian culture,' read Khoshroo's message on the occasion of the International Day of Nowruz on Tuesday.

“I would like to take this opportunity to explain the cultural significance of the season of spring through the poetry of Hafiz, who lived in the 14th Century of the Common Era. Hafiz’s poems are often central to Nowruz celebrations, and his book of poetry is often found in the homes of people all over the Persian speaking world, many of whom learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and in fortune telling,” highlighted Mr. Khoshroo.

Hafiz alludes to life that destroys evil traits such as selfishness, hostility, and oppression, and brings forth the angel of peace, friendship, vitality and brilliance. According to him, Iranian culture is the culture of spring and it has spread throughout the world not by force, but compassion. Hafiz’s response to those who disregard their own words and only boast their military might and exclusionary mind reads as follows: one can take the kingdom of the world not by army but by love, one can take throne of kingdom not by force but by compassion. Nowruz Pirooz, and God bless you, and our planet.'

The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Nowruz celebrates the start of the Persian spring festival March 21 ever year.

Nowruz (meaning "(The) New Day") is the name of the New Year in the Solar Hijri calendar. Nowruz is also referred to as the Iranian or Persian New Year.