Festive concert “Spring is coming! Navruz sings!”

On March 24, a truly festive atmosphere prevailed within the walls of Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk. The concert programme “Spring is coming! Navruz Sings!” turned an ordinary academic day into a vibrant international celebration, bringing Belarusian and Turkmen students together as one big family.

The hosting team consisted of:

• Rovshen Siidov, student at the Faculty of Law
• Milana Kholmacheva, student at the Faculty of Civil Engineering
• Yulian Mitroshin, student at the Faculty of Mechanics and Technology
• Ulyana Voitekhovich, student at the Faculty of Information Technologies
• Orazmyrat Arazov, student at the Faculty of Finance and Economics
• Daria Tkachenko, student at the Faculty of Finance and Economics

The diverse concert featured 19 creative performances, including poetry, songs, dances, instrumental music, video footage, and photo slides. There were no accidental spectators in the hall – guests, friends, classmates, teachers, and like-minded people came to share the joy of the arrival of spring.

The stage was alive with heartwarming performances, featuring lively Turkmen melodies that evoked distant sunshine, energetic dances reflecting the awakening of nature, and heartfelt poetry celebrating Turkmenistan, its landscapes, and traditions that honor family, relatives, and friends

The true sign of the event’s success was evident even before the concert began – out in the foyer and behind the scenes. The Turkmen students had lovingly put together a surprise for everyone: authentic Eastern treats. The aroma of freshly baked flatbreads, pishme, manti, sweets, and sumalak filled the university foyer, instantly creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that captured the spirit of the Navruz.

The Belarusian students responded with their own creative performances, including sketches, songs, and dances, capturing the many shades of meaning behind the long awaited spring, friendship, love, and the feeling of family and home. The boundary between audience and performers began to fade, and as the evening drew to a close, all the participants and guests sang along to the final song before heading to the stage for a group photo and dancing.

Hangeldi Nuryev, student at Polotsk University: “Today we are celebrating Navruz and invite everyone to enjoy a taste of Turkmenistan. Our girls and boys have been preparing for this holiday for a long time, even making traditional dishes from Turkmenistan”.

Gozel Mustafakulova, student at Polotsk University: “Here I feel as though I’m among my own people. I really enjoy studying here – it’s a wonderful place. Every celebration is very interesting and beautiful”.

Irina Lyakh, methodologist in cultural and recreational activities: “The ‘Spring is Coming! Navruz Sings!’ celebration served as another reminder that student life is a unique time when different cultures not only meet but begin to resonate in harmony. Even though spring is just beginning to take hold outside, in the hearts of these students it has arrived fully and irrevocably as evidenced by the collaboration of the Belarusian and Turkmen hosts”.

Elena Konovalova, teacher-organizer of work with international students: “These moments are what true student life is all about. We learn not only from textbooks but also from each other – how to celebrate, how to be friends, and how to appreciate traditions. When Belarusian students taste Eastern treats and Turkmen students sing along to a familiar song, that is the warmth that makes it all worthwhile”.

Thank you all for taking part, and we wish you a happy spring celebration!