Public festivities took place in Baku, March 19, on the occasion of Novruz – a national holiday of the Azerbaijan people.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, as a tradition, attended Novruz festivities this year too.
The Head of the State and the First Lady first arrived at a square before the Maiden Tower.
Boys and girls in national garments presented a Novruz khoncha to the Azerbaijani President and delivered holiday congratulations to the Head of the State and his spouse on the occasion of Novruz Holiday.
Warriors armed with sward and shield, reminding us our ancient history, stood on Icherisheher’s fortification walls, and on the square.
Great Dada Gorgud, with his blessings, wished our people abundance in the new year.
Children in national garments danced on the square. Songs performed by masters of art, praising the spring and Azerbaijan, spread around and caused pleasant mood in the attendees of the festivities.
President Ilham Aliyev lit up a Novruz bonfire.
The Head of the State addressed the festivity.
Then President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva came to the Seaside National Park.
The President and the First Lady were greeted by Kosa and Kechal – the main characters of Novruz Holiday.
Kosa and Kechal congratulated the President and his spouse on the holiday, and cracked eggs with the Head of the State.
President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva watched a festive concert.
The President and the First Lady made themselves acquainted with a Novruz Fair arranged by the Agriculture Ministry on the occasion of the holiday.
President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva listened to performances of Natig Rhythm Group and ashygs, made themselves acquainted with samples of Azerbaijani carpets.
“Eastern Bazaar” festivity arranged in the national park was especially interesting. Performances of amateur groups representing various regions of the country and examples of art aroused much interest. Young wrestlers were struggling on a carpet and sportsmen displayed mastery.
President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva and other attendees of the festivities watched the interesting show, viewed samples of an ancient folk art.
At a ceremony, where old folk arts conveyed from our great grandfathers to today’s generation were displayed, various types of sweets – the symbol of Novruz – were also presented. Samples of Novruz cuisine brought from different districts aroused much interest in attendees.
The President and the First Lady viewed a corner arranged in connection with the finals of the European football championship among children under 17 to be held in Baku during 5 to 21st May this year. Here, the Head of the State and his spouse were presented tickets to the championship’s opening ceremony.
The European Grand Prix for Formula-1 motor races will start on this day precisely in three months, 19 June. In this connection, Formula-1 entertainment zone has been arranged in the seaside boulevard for the days of Novruz Holiday by the Baku City Circuit Operations Company.
Here, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were presented tickets to watch the motor races.
The Azerbaijani President once more delivered pleasant Novruz wishes to residents of Baku and guests of the capital who came to see him and have a holiday walk.
The public festivities arranged on the occasion of Novruz Holiday was attended by Prime Minister Arthur Rasizadeh, chairperson of the National Assembly Ogtay Asadov, head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and other officials.
