A festival of our days
Ancient — and alive
Today Novruz is a state holiday of Azerbaijan and one of the most beloved days of the year. Cities are decorated, stages are set up in the squares, and concerts, fairs and folk festivities are held.
It is a festival that unites: it is celebrated by dozens of peoples from the Caucasus and Turkey to Iran and Central Asia — each in their own way, but always greeting the spring.
The ancient rite has not frozen in the past: it is carefully passed on to children, and every year the səməni turns green again and the bonfires burn again.
UNESCO heritage
Since 2009 Novruz has been on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
International Day
On 21 March the UN marks the International Day of Nowruz as a festival of peace, good-neighbourliness and renewal.
A festival of many peoples
Novruz unites dozens of peoples of the region; each has its own customs, but a shared meaning — the coming of spring.
City festivities
Huge bonfires and səməni are set up in the squares, with concerts and fairs of crafts and sweets.
Family and tradition
The heart of Novruz remains at home: the shared table, the khoncha, guests and wishes for a happy year.
Spring and hope
At the root of the festival is the eternal idea of renewal: nature awakens, and with it the hope for something better.
FestivitiesThe whole city
When spring is greeted together
During Novruz cities turn into one great square: people come out of their homes to light bonfires together, listen to music and congratulate one another.
Thus the ancient festival stays alive — not in a museum, but in the streets, in families and in the hearts of new generations.