Today, the Turkic and Iranian peoples are celebrating Novruz - the new year according to the astronomical solar calendar, the day of the spring equinox. Nowruz means "new day" and symbolizes the rebirth of man and nature, the beginning of a new life, the unification of people before the start of the coming year.
Novruz holiday is widely celebrated in Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Albania, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia.
In 2009, the Novruz holiday was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and the following year it received international holiday status, then the UN declared March 21 the International Day of Novruz.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has already congratulated the Azerbaijani people on Novruz holiday. "This folk holiday, which is the complete embodiment of the rich inner world and our ancestors' optimistic worldview, has penetrated into the deepest layers of our existence over the centuries, contributed to the formation of national identity, turning into a bearer of the highest values, has always brought people together around a single morality", the president said.
Ilham Aliyev wished everyone a spring mood and expressed hope that this joyful holiday will bring much joy, abundance and prosperity to every home, every hearth.
Today, congratulations on the holiday also appeared on the Instagram page of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva.
"Dear compatriots! I sincerely congratulate you on the Novruz holiday, I wish each of you good health, longevity and happiness! Thank you all for your congratulations, sincere and good wishes! Your attention, care and support are very dear to me!", the publication says.
Mehriban Aliyeva wished patience to the families and friends of the martyrs who died in the name of Azerbaijan, joy to every home and abundance. "May this Novruz, which is a symbol of the awakening and renewal of nature, bring a good mood to all homes, give each hearth a lot of joy, abundance and prosperity! May the Almighty always be merciful to our people!" she concluded.
This year, the people of Azerbaijan will have nine consecutive days of rest in honor of Novruz, from March 19 to 27. The first working day will be March 28.
