There are quite a few festivals held in Azerbaijan, and we’d like to get to know them better. Stay with Saed News.
Azerbaijan is a country with very joyful people who, thanks to this characteristic, use every opportunity and moment to celebrate various festivals. Tourists in this beautiful country can witness the celebration of festivals where the main feature and distinguishing characteristic is traditional Azerbaijani music. In fact, it can be said that the customs and traditions of the Azerbaijani people have made this country full of happiness and celebration throughout most of the year. Some of the most important festivals include Azerbaijan’s national holidays such as Independence Day, but it’s important to note that Independence Day is not the only festival in this beautiful and colorful country. Festivals like Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Nowruz, various music festivals, the Pomegranate Festival, and the Food Festival are also celebrated in Azerbaijan, offering the people of this land a chance to gather for communal celebrations and enjoyable events.
Nowruz Festival in Azerbaijan
One of the most unique festivals in Azerbaijan is the "Nowruz Festival," a spring celebration held from March 20 to 22. The festival marks the rebirth of nature, and people celebrate it together in a beautiful manner. This festival is also celebrated annually in Central Asian countries. Although the main goal is the same—marking the beginning of the new year as a symbol of a fresh start—the customs and traditions in each country differ significantly. For example, in Georgia, people believe that to mark the new year, past mistakes should be forgiven, and grudges should be put aside, with no animosity between neighbors or friends. In Azerbaijan, Nowruz gives the public an opportunity to clean their homes, what we call "spring cleaning" in Iran, and they welcome the new year by buying new clothes. Many weddings are also held during this period. As with most Azerbaijani festivals, one of the main highlights is the food and delicious dishes. Additionally, one of the most exciting parts of Nowruz for both children and adults is jumping over fire, a tradition dating back to the Zoroastrians, more than 2,500 years ago. This is similar to our own "Chaharshanbe Suri" held on the last Tuesday before the new year, where people dance around a fire and jump over it seven times. They believe that by jumping, they gain energy from the fire and ward off illness and death. This festival lasts for five days, during which Azerbaijan enjoys public holidays. UNESCO recognizes it as part of the country's cultural heritage, and it is especially exciting for everyone.
Music Festivals
International Jazz Music Festival: Every year, due to the connection between Azerbaijani music and American jazz, a grand and beautiful festival known as the Jazz Festival is organized in Azerbaijan, featuring famous saxophonists. This fusion of Azerbaijani and jazz music has created a unique style of jazz that is now associated with Azerbaijan. This exciting festival, one of the most important in Azerbaijan, takes place in Baku every October, attracting musicians from countries like Russia, Italy, the United States, Germany, Canada, Portugal, Israel, Georgia, and more.
Silk Road International Music Festival: Since 2010, this festival has been held eight times in the city of Shaki, featuring Azerbaijani musicians and well-known artists from nine other countries, including South Korea, Norway, Iran, Turkey, Poland, India, Georgia, and Ukraine.
International Mugham Music Festival: This festival, aimed at familiarizing other countries with Azerbaijan's contemporary music and showcasing its importance, was first held in Baku on March 20, 2009, by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. It has been held annually since then.
Gabala Music Festival: This famous classical music festival is held in Gabala, Azerbaijan, where many artists perform in outdoor concerts. Participants from around the world, including the United States and Europe, take part in this festival.
National Independence Festival
Every year, on May 28, the people of Azerbaijan celebrate the country’s greatest national holiday with grandeur and beauty. This day commemorates Azerbaijan's independence from the Russian Empire under the leadership of Mehmet Amin Rasulzadeh. Azerbaijan declared its independence as the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on this day. After Azerbaijan regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, this national holiday has been celebrated every year. The celebration is filled with parades and group dances on the streets, with men and women wearing traditional Azerbaijani clothes, singing national and heroic songs. May is one of the best times of the year to visit Azerbaijan and enjoy the joyful atmosphere.
Pomegranate Festival
Held on the first Saturday of November in the city of Guba, Azerbaijan, the Pomegranate Festival is one of the most beloved festivals. This two-day celebration starts with the movement of dancing groups and music performances. Visitors can explore pomegranate production exhibits and participate in the opening ceremony. Concerts by local artists and various activities create a memorable experience. The reason for holding this festival in Guba is that more than 4,000 hectares of land in the region are dedicated to growing pomegranates, producing up to 50,000 tons of pomegranates each year.
Apple Festival in Guba
Held in October, during apple harvest season, the Guba Apple Festival is a special event. The festival began in 2012 and features various fruits and products, with a particular focus on apples. The festival is held in the northern region of Guba, where farmers display a variety of apples and other local produce.
Color Festival
The Summer Color Festival in Azerbaijan is celebrated in Guba, where hundreds of people throw colored powder at each other in a vibrant celebration. This festival is inspired by the Indian Holi Festival, and people of all backgrounds join in the streets to throw colored water and powder. It’s a joyful celebration of love, the victory of good over evil, and saying goodbye to winter.
Baku International Tourism Film Festival
This festival, held in Baku every May, attracts thousands of travelers from around the world. It features tourism promotional films and aims to support successful tourism films, both domestic and international. The festival, which began in 2013, is held in both Turkish and English.
Food Festival
Another grand and exciting celebration in Azerbaijan is the Food Festival, held annually in Baku near the iconic Maiden Tower. Starting on November 23 and lasting until the 26th, this festival allows visitors to enjoy Azerbaijani dishes and participate in fun entertainment, including live performances by famous singers.
Qurban Bayram (Festival of Sacrifice)
Qurban Bayram is an important Islamic festival in Azerbaijan. It marks the readiness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in the name of God. In Azerbaijan, as part of the tradition, a goat or camel is sacrificed in remembrance of this story.
Ramazan Bayram (Eid al-Fitr)
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr. In Azerbaijan, it is known as Ramazan Bayram, and people who have fasted during Ramadan break their fast on the day of the full moon. Families and friends gather, exchange gifts, and share sweets and charity, while mosques hold prayers, and people greet each other with festive wishes.
Conclusion
In Azerbaijan, every opportunity and event is an excuse to hold a joyful and unforgettable celebration. The warm and hospitable people of this country have unique customs for hosting guests, creating sweet and enjoyable moments for travelers. This is why Azerbaijan hosts many travelers from all over the world during festival times. The cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Iran have made Azerbaijan’s beautiful festivals particularly special for Iranians, with a significant number of guests coming from Iran to enjoy these events.
