President Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva join festivities on occasion of Novruz
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijani President and First Lady joined nationwide festivities on the occasion of Novruz Holiday on March 19.
Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva visited the square in front of the Maiden Tower, and children dressed in national costumes presented them with traditional sweets and congratulated them on Novruz.
Fighters carrying swords and shields reminiscent of Azerbaijan's ancient history stood on the walls of the Old City and in the square. Dada Gorgud gave his blessing and expressed hope that the spring holiday will bring abundance to the Azerbaijanis.
President Ilham Aliyev lit the Novruz bonfire, and then made a speech.
The president and his spouse also visited the National Seaside Park, where they met the key characters of Novruz: Kosa and Kechal.
The festivities included an Oriental bazaar organized at the National Park featuring handicrafts and food products grown and produced in various parts of Azerbaijan, as well as wrestling competitions and exercises by athletes.
President Aliyev and Mehriban viewed an exhibition of Azerbaijani carpets, and then tried shish kebabs cooked on a brazier. Various sweets, the symbols of Novruz, were also on display at a ceremony demonstrating ancient folk crafts.
Then, the presidential couple watched a presentation on the first European Games which will be held in Baku in 2015.
Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Chief of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, and other officials also attended the festivities on the occasion of Novruz.