I would like to offer you my hearty congratulations on the national spring festival, International Day of Novruz, which is being widely celebrated at this wonderful time of the year designated as “Turkmenistan - the Heart of the Silk Route”, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in his congratulatory message. I am confident that the festivities in honor of the festival (recognized as an integral part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of humanity) that embodies peace, friendship, good neighborliness, humanity and creation will inspire deeper love for our home country. Steeped in the age-old unique traditions and customs, Novruz Bairamy has been recognized internationally as an integral part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of humanity and has acquired a new meaning. The festival that stretches back over the centuries has been officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as International Day of Novruz, fostering values of peace and solidarity between nations, and has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the message states. The Nowruz Ýaylasy Valley, which is home to the Türkmeniň Ak Öýi Center (a symbol of time-honored traditions of friendship and hospitality of the Turkmens) and the Friendship Monument, has been specially designated to hold festivities, to promote greater importance of International Day of Novruz, and to popularize our cultural values and national customs. Diverse traditions and customs of this international festival have made a significant impact on the harmonious development of the Eastern and Western civilizations, particularly on the building of historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan along the Silk Route, and the creation of the Turkmens’ tangible and spiritual treasures. Alongside with the other nations, the Turkmens have imparted their wisdom, moral and spiritual values, humanistic ideals, such as love of peace, friendship, good neighborliness, nobility and mutual respect in the Novruz traditions. This is the reason why the festival inspires us to set noble aims, to perform great deeds, to instill national pride in younger generations and to teach them to stick to humanistic principles. The running year, themed as “Turkmenistan - the Heart of the Silk Route”, is no exception in terms of big Novruz celebrations. According to the fine centuries-old tradition, a rich variety of national dishes are being cooked these days, and festivities are about to start countrywide to mark the national spring festival. The people of Turkmenistan celebrate Novruz as the triumph of diligent work, glorifying tender care and love for the native land. Spring is an important season for farmers and livestock breeders, who continue age-old farming and breeding practices. The national spring festival acts as a stimulus to the achievement of new heights. That is why a planting season always starts with the expression of good wishes for yet greater popularity of our independent country and people, and for happiness and prosperity. The special role of the national spring holiday, International Day of Novruz, in bringing people together, its fine traditions and customs, as well as festivities inspire us to work selflessly for further prosperity of Turkmenistan, - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in his congratulatory address.