Novruz Bayram has become one of the most anticipated holidays in Israel in recent years. Since Israel-Azerbaijani international association "AzIs" was established 12 years ago, immigrants from Azerbaijan and their friends from different countries gather in many Israeli cities in March to celebrate the beginning of spring.
This year, the Novruz Bayram celebration in Israel kicked off on March 18 with a special release of Dolce Vita - original program of popular radio journalist born in Azerbaijan, Victoria Dolinskaya, on Israeli radio KAN REKA. Guests' list included Lev Spivak, director general of the AzIs Association, singer and composer Amnon Muratov and singer of the Israeli opera, Baku native, Camelia Joffe. Host and her guests sang and shared their memories of unique traditions and features of the Novruz Bayram celebration. Shavul Davydov, executive director of the Jewish House, spoke about traditions and specifics of celebration of Novruz in modern Azerbaijan.
Same day, the AzIs Azerbaijan Cultural Center, which became the bearer of traditions of Novruz celebration in Israel, opened its doors. Guests of this center were able to eat baklava, shekerbura, shor gogal, as well as dried fruits, painted eggs, nuts and all other usual treats of this festive day. Festive table was decorated with honchas - a tray with sweets and syamyani - bright green sprouts of young wheat, grown specifically for this celebration, as well as an artistic installation displaying preparation for the Novruz holiday in Azerbaijan, with flags of Israel and Azerbaijan. One of the organizers, Yegyana Salman, told story about celebration of vernal equinox in prehistoric times and how it's celebrated in different countries.
This year, one of the most beloved Jewish holidays, Purim, coincided with Novruz Bayram. Rabbanit Shendl Gurovich told guests about ancient traditions of Purim celebration. Those present were congratulated by head of the Absorption Office of the Afula Inna Okun municipality, who highlighted successful work of the AzIs cultural center in their city. AzIs head Lev Spivak spoke about his childhood and youth, when residents of Baku celebrated all holidays together, regardless of nationality or religion. Celebration of Novruz Bayram in Israel by the AzIs has already become a tradition, that's why the AzIs members are organizing celebration of the arrival of spring for guests from Azerbaijan.
As part of experience exchange program, 50 teachers from Azerbaijan are currently undergoing training in Israel. They're studying how to teach technical subjects in senior classes. Study consists of many hours of complex theoretical lessons, as well as practice in schools with pupils from senior grades. In a short time, young teachers from Azerbaijan should master not only basics of new teaching system, but also consolidate knowledge and practice in Israel before they continue to work in their homeland. That's why schedule of young teachers is very busy and difficult, and if since all of this happens when Azerbaijan celebrates the favorite national holiday, Novruz Bayram, it's obvious that these young teachers really miss their homeland.
On March 22, in the south of Israel, residents of Ashkelon, who came from Azerbaijan, and guests from Jerusalem and Ashdod, participated in celebration of Novruz and re-establishment of the AzIs branch in Ashkelon. First Deputy Mayor Sofya Beilin and AzIs head Lev Spivak, as well as friends of the association from other countries - Lena Gordon, Edik Lvov, Igor Erman, Sasha Katz were guests of the celebration. "Today we made decision to intensify the work of community of people from Azerbaijan," Ilya Moskovich said. During the event, people remembered about their life in Azerbaijan, as well as friendship between all nationalities living in the country.
