Azərbaycan Respublikasının Ambasciata della Repubblica
Italiyadakı Səfirliyi di Azerbaigian in Italia
Via Savoia 78, 3° piano Roma 00198, Italia; Tel.: (39) 06 85237235; Fax: (39) 06 85237246
E-mail: azerb.roma@azembassy.it; Web site: http://www.azembassy.it
Press release
Novruz Bayrami - National holiday of Azerbaijanis
The main and favourite holiday of the Azerbaijanis is Novruz bayramı, which is literally
translated as “holiday of spring”. Novruz celebrated on March 20-21, when the nature is
waking up and the spring accedes its throne, when new life is initiated all the country is
preparing for this holiday. Prospects and squares of the cities are decorated, the hostesses
are making cleaning up all around. Factually, the preparation for the holiday starts one
month to the holiday. Each of the coming four weeks –or rather three Wednesdays is
devoted to one of four elements and named accordingly, though the names sometimes vary
depending on the region. Four Wednesday before the holiday are called Su Çerşenbesi
(Wednesday on Water), Od Çerşenbesi (Wednesday on Fire water), Torpaq Çerşenbesi
(Wednesday on Ground) and Axir Çerşenbesi (last Wednesday). According to the popular
belief, water was renewed on first Wednesday and ditchwater starting moving. On second-
fire, on third ground. On fourth Wednesday wind was opening tree buds and according to
the folk sings spring was coming. As to the scientists, these Wednesdays in Shirvan were
devoted to the following natural elements: first –air, second water, third- ground, forth
plants. However, the folk says that it becomes warmer on the first Wednesday, on the
second water becomes warm, on the third ground is living up, on the fourth trees and
greens. The most important of these Wednesday is Axir Çerşenbesi (last Wednesday) when
the main developments take place. This day is full with the various ceremonial actions,
which cover all fields of life of people and their main purpose is to provide welfare to
yourself, your family and society in the coming new year, release from all misfortunes and
deter from yourself and your family all the troubles and misery.
One of the main traditions among all others implemented while preparing to Novruz holiday
is a ceremony of growing wheat seeds –preparation of Semeni, which is considered a
symbol of the fertility of the nature and according to the people’s words, it had magic
power. The ceremony is concerned with the rebirth of the nature and custom of the
greenery. On these days bright green “lawns” –semeni decorated with scarlet ribbons and
surrounded with the painted eggs and candles are in each house. Xonça (Khoncha) is put
near it –tray full with the raisins, nuts, sweets, dried fruits, sugared “noğul ” etc. The
women are cooking the eastern sweets: paxlava (paklava), goğal (gogal), şekerbura
(shakarbura) etc. before Novruz.