ISTANBUL, March 31. /Dunyo IA/. The spring and renewal holiday, Navruz, is being widely celebrated in Istanbul, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

One of the key highlights was a festive event organized by the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in cooperation with Uzbek diaspora organizations and students at Bahçeşehir University (BAU), one of the city's prestigious higher education institutions.

Program featured Uzbek songs, while student performances in traditional atlas and adras costumes added a special atmosphere to the evening. Professors and students from various countries learned about Uzbekistan’s rich history, its ancient monuments along the Great Silk Road and its unique national cuisine.

Guests were able to taste Uzbek pilaf and the main spring treat, sumalak, fully appreciating the hospitality and generosity of Uzbek traditions.

Bahçeşehir University was founded in 1998 and currently brings together about 30,000 students. Approximately one hundred young people from Uzbekistan study here in such high-demand fields as engineering, medicine, economics and communications. University has branches in Washington, Berlin and Rome.

Zarina Parmanova, a student at the Faculty of Dentistry, shared her impressions in an interview with Dunyo IA:

- Celebrating Navruz in the very heart of Istanbul, within the walls of our university, is a great source of pride for us. Studying at the Faculty of Dentistry requires serious dedication, but such cultural events give us extra energy and inspiration. It is especially pleasant to see the interest of international students in our national clothing and cuisine - at such moments, you feel a particularly strong sense of pride for your country.

Holiday brought together not only Bahçeşehir University students but also Uzbek youth from other universities in the city. In particular, Kuddusbek Ikromjonov, an economics student at Istanbul University, also shared his impressions:

- For us students far from home, such events are not just a holiday, but an opportunity to present our culture and maintain a connection with our roots. Together with compatriots from various universities, we proudly introduce the Turkish public to the rich heritage of Uzbekistan. Thanks to this, you feel warmth and support, as if you were at home.

Such initiatives not only strengthen the unity of Uzbek youth abroad but also contribute to promoting Uzbekistan’s cultural image on the international stage.