This is an ancient holiday, which can be traced back 5,000 years to the Sumerians and the Babylonians civilisations. The first records of Novruz as a spring holiday date back to 505 BC.
Like a lot of spring festivals, this idea of purification and starting again is key. Indeed, before Novruz, activities based on renewal like spring cleaning, planting trees, make new clothes and painting eggs are popular.
On the day before Novruz, the graves of relatives are visited and tended, then the whole family will gather around the table to enjoy traditional dishes. The table will be decorated with a khoncha with Samani (wheat that was planted on water Tuesday) placed in the centre and candles and painted eggs representing the number of family members around it. The feast will consist of at least seven dishes.
While Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union, the celebration of Novruz was given unofficial status and even prohibited. although during the Soviet period. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Novruz has surged in popularity and has now regained its position as the key holiday in Azerbaijan.
Novruz (Novruz Bayrami) is the most important holiday in Azerbaijan. It celebrates the Persian New Year, and the beginning of Spring. Novruz means ‘New Day’.