Novruz celebrated in London's University College
By Nazrin Gadimova
London's University College (UCL) hosted a celebration of Novruz Holiday at its main quadrant on March 23.
The event, sponsored by The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS), brought together about 1,300 London-based residents from the Caucasus and Central Asia.
This vibrant, colorful and family-oriented celebration featured the traditions, food and national dress of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tatarstan (Russian Federation), Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Food from each of the countries was served from their respective tents, and different souvenirs, as well as leaflets were distributed.
Highlights included a performance by 19-year-old Fidan Hajiyeva, who was recently the BBC Radio 3 World Routes protégé, performing "Azerbaijan" song to music by legendary Uzeyir Hajibeyli.
Moreover, she was followed by Babek Tabrizli on saz and vocals, who performed two romantic folksongs - "Kuchelere su Sapmisham", which is best-known in its recording by Rashid Behbudov, and "Sevmemek Olmaz".
Then members of the UCL Azerbaijan Society donned national dress to perform the dances "Yalli" and "Uzundere".
The open-air event was followed by another concert and networking.
All attendees were provided with TEAS bags containing magazines and information about Azerbaijan, and a tee-shirt bearing the slogan "Khojaly 613", reminding wearers of the Khojali massacre in 1992, which claimed the lives of 613 civilians during the Armenian invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh.
British-Uzbek Society, UCL Kazakh Society, Kazakhstan Student Society in the UK, UCL Azerbaijan Society, Kyrgyz Club UK, British-Tajik Society, and UK Tatar Association were among the organizers of the event.