In this episode of Azerbaijan Diary, we discover Nowruz, the Persian New Year - an ancient festival of spring and renewal and look at how it is deeply rooted in Azerbaijani traditions.
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00:00Nowruz is one of the oldest and most significant holidays in the Turkic world, as well as in
00:09the broader Middle East region.
00:11Rooted in history, Nowruz marks the end of winter and arrival of spring, and the renewal
00:16of nature.
00:22It's a time of celebration, bringing people together to share in joy and bonds.
00:27Nowruz is not just a celebration of the New Year, but also a time together with family
00:31and community.
00:32For me, for us, Nowruz is a source of pride and identity.
00:46Nowruz holds a special place in Azerbaijani culture, with deep historical and cultural
00:51roots that go back thousands of years.
00:55Nowruz is believed to have originated in the ancient Zoroastrian religion, which was
01:00practiced in the region that includes modern-day Azerbaijan.
01:04Nowruz is symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, nature's rebirth, prosperity
01:11and fertility.
01:12The holiday also has connection to ancient agricultural practices.
01:16It's a time when people would celebrate the end of winter and look forward to a productive
01:22spring and summer.
01:24It's important to highlight that Nowruz is more than just a celebration of the season.
01:29It's a powerful expression of national pride and unity.
01:33It connects people to their past, honors their shared cultural heritage.
01:38Simply said, Nowruz is a time when the whole nation comes together.
01:46Key traditions include sitting on the table for family and friends, bonfires.
01:53People gather around large bonfires and jump over flames.
01:57This is believed to purify the body and spirit, burning away any bad luck and negativity from
02:03the past year.
02:04It's customary to visit relatives, neighbors and friends, often bringing gifts such as
02:10sweet and symbolic food.
02:13Traditional foods play a central role in Nowruz celebration.
02:17Some key activities are public festivals.
02:20People come together to showcase their traditional costumes, dance and sing.
02:25Performers dressed in colorful outfits represent the diversity of our culture and the different
02:31regions of the country.
02:33Nowruz is a time to refresh the spirit, reconnect with loved ones and honor age-old traditions.
02:44Nowruz represents optimism with its focus on growth, prosperity and good health.
02:50It encourages people to let go of the past, forgive and embrace fresh starts.