Baku: Throughout history, people have cultivated unique customs and traditions, some of which have endured while others have faded over time. The Azerbaijani people have preserved their rich national traditions, including Novruz (Nowruz), one of the most ancient and significant holidays. Celebrated in many countries worldwide, Novruz marks the arrival of spring, symbolizing nature’s renewal and the beginning of a new year.
Ancient communities observed this occasion due to its connection with seasonal changes. The very name "Novruz," meaning "New Day," reflects its essence as a celebration of rebirth and renewal.
When it happens
According to the solar calendar, Novruz occurs when day and night are of equal length, typically between March 20 and 21. The holidays which continue for 13 days. It is also linked to human creation, as it is believed that humans were formed from the four elements: water, fire, earth, and air. These elements are honored through the four Tuesdays (Charshanba) leading up to Novruz. Each Tuesday represents one element: the first is Water Charshanba, symbolizing the thawing of ice; the second is Fire Charshanba, reflecting the warming of the land; the third is Wind Charshanba, signifying the stirring of nature; and the fourth, Earth Charshanba, marks the complete awakening of the land. The final Charshanba is considered the most significant.
What is Novruz?
Novruz, also known as the Persian New Year, is a 3,000-year-old celebration rooted in Zoroastrianism. Honouring fertility, nature, and new beginnings, it is celebrated by approximately 300 million people across Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, as well as by Kurdish, Turkic Uyghur, and Parsi communities worldwide.
How is Novruz Celebrated?
Novruz festivities bring together families, friends, and communities through vibrant traditions such as bonfires, fireworks, poetry, and folk music. In Afghanistan and Central Asia, traditional games rooted in nomadic culture are popular. A common feature across all regions is the presence of abundant food.
Azerbaijan holidays
As spring arrives, Azerbaijanis begin cultivating their land and preparing for the holiday. Homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated, symbolizing a fresh start. A central aspect of Novruz is reconciliation—relatives mend relationships, neighbors visit one another, and families gather around lavishly set holiday tables. These tables feature a traditional tray (khoncha) with sprouted wheat (Samani) at its center, surrounded by symbolic national sweets: pakhlava represents the four cardinal directions, gogal symbolizes the sun, shekerbura denotes the moon, and decorated eggs represent life. During Novruz, people exchange festive treats, visit elders, and ensure the less fortunate partake in the celebrations.
International Recognition of Novruz
In recognition of its cultural significance, Novruz was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Additionally, on February 23, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as "International Novruz Day." These achievements were made possible through the dedicated efforts of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, to promote Novruz on the global stage.
Novruz in Modern Azerbaijan
In recent years, Azerbaijan has placed increased emphasis on celebrating Novruz at a national level. President Ilham Aliyev personally participates in festivities in Baku, engaging with the public and reinforcing the holiday’s cultural importance. The grandeur of Azerbaijan’s Novruz celebrations has attracted many tourists from neighboring countries.
Since 2020, Novruz has held even greater significance in Azerbaijan. The country’s liberation of territories after nearly 30 years of occupation has allowed internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home and celebrate the holiday in their native lands. Under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, extensive reconstruction efforts are underway in these regions, enabling residents to experience the joy of Novruz in their own homes once again. The President’s visits to these liberated territories during Novruz highlight the holiday’s role in national unity and renewal.
Novruz remains a cherished tradition in Azerbaijan, symbolizing not only the arrival of spring but also resilience, unity, and the spirit of renewal.