Novruz holiday in Icherisheher: national cuisine, merchants and camels
By Laman Ismayilova
Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve invites you to celebrate the spring arrival on March 20-26.
Every day throughout the festival, Baku residents and city's guests will enjoy spectacular shows, fantastic songs and dances not only from Azerbaijan, but also from those countries where Novruz is widely celebrated.
During the festival, colorful ribbons, balloons along Güll Street in Icherisheher will create a sense of a fairy tale. On Güll Street, guests can visit the Oriental Bazaar, where they can meet merchants, as well as see camels.
Retail outlets will open behind the Maiden Tower, children's ensemble will perform.
On March 23, viewers will be able to enjoy the concert of young Turkish pop star Alein Tilki. The concert will take place at Gosha Gala Square at 17:00.
The festival will be open from 12:00 to 18:00.
Novruz, being a family holiday, is celebrated on March 20-21, and before the actual day of the holiday, people celebrate the four last pre-holiday Tuesdays.
Noruz holiday is rich with ancient traditions and games. Khidir Ilyas (the symbol of fertility and blossom),Kos-Kosa— an entertaining game (symbol of spring) and fortunetelling are among them. The important Novruz symbols are khoncha (a tray with sweets, nuts fruits and dyed eggs on) and samani( green shoots from wheat seeds).
The holiday was given the status of an official holiday in Azerbaijan by a presidential decree dated 13 March 1990. In 2009, Novruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and since then, March 21 was declared the International Day of Novruz.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova
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