Novruz in Azerbaijan is a traditional holiday, which celebrates the New Year, and the coming of Spring. When Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union, celebration of Novruz was generally unofficial, and at times even prohibited. Currently in Azerbaijan, Novruz is treated as an official public holiday. In accordance with Article 105 of the Labour Code of Azerbaijan passed in 2006, workers receive five days off for Novruz.
Usually preparation for Novruz begins a month prior to the festival. Each of forthcoming 4 weeks is devoted to one of the four elements and called accordingly in Azerbaijan. Each Tuesday people celebrate the day of one of the four elements - water, fire, earth and wind. People do house cleaning, plant trees, make new dresses, paint eggs, make national pastries such as shekerbura, pakhlava, shorgoghal and a great variety of national cuisine.
Wheat is fried with kishmish (raisins) and nuts (govurga). As a tribute to fire-worshiping every Tuesday during four weeks before the holiday kids jump over small bonfires and candles are lit. On the holiday eve the graves of relatives are visited and tended. Novruz is a family holiday. In the evening before the holiday the whole family gathers around the holiday table laid with various dishes to make the New Year rich. The holiday goes on for several days and ends with festive public dancing and other entertainment of folk bands, contests of national sports. In rural areas crop holidays are marked. The decoration of the festive table is khoncha, a big silver or copper tray with Samanu placed in the centre and candles and dyed eggs by the number of family members around it. The table should be set, at least, with seven dishes.
Tour Programme
Tour starts: 20th of March Tour duration: 2 nights/3 days
Day One
Meeting at the airport. Accommodation in hotel. Overnight
Day Two
-Breakfast in the hotel
-After breakfast come to the Old city gates to celebrate Novruz holiday. -Tour starts by visiting to the Icheri Sheher (The Old City) and learn about the famous Maiden Tower and Palace of Shirvanshahs (15th century) where the mosque, the bath-house and entrance gates have been wonderfully preserved -Lunch Visiting Ateshgah Fire. (In early historyAzerbaijan was called the “land of the sacred fire”. Although the “everlasting fire” mentioned by early travelers such as Alexandr Dumas was due to the gas and oil deposits erupting from the earth, it became surrounded by legend and mystery. His idea to use fire as a metaphor for the mysteries of God probably came from witnessing the spontaneous flames that rise so eerily fromAzerbaijan's Absheron Peninsula. Today some such fires still burn). -Dinner at the national restaurant -Back to the hotel
Day Three
Breakfast at the hotel Baku city tour and open concert show Transfer to the airport
Included services to the price : Transfer Hotel Accommodation Breakfast at the hotel English speaking tour guide Sightseeing Entrance tickets
