New Year celebration

Introduction

Although I have been to Azerbaijan several times, none of my trips covered the New Year celebration period. However this is an important holiday, let me start from the New Year`s Eve, which is a special day in the official calendar of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

New Year`s Eve from the unique perspective

31th December is the International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis. It has been founded by the former president, Heydar Aliyev and dates back to early 90s, strictly linking with the collapse of USSR as well as Azerbaijani hopes to turn back the fate of Turkmenchay treaty, when Azerbaijani lands have been divided into northern and western parts (under Russian and Persian occupation respectively).

Source: https://heqiqetcarcisi.az/gundem/4013-hmrylik-gn-birlik-arn-simvolik-gndr.html

Aras river was not only the natural border, but also a symbol of division lasting till nowadays. Many famous people are the descendants of migrants from so-called South Azerbaijan, which de facto is area located within two northern Iranian provinces. Huge historical impact onof this holiday, unfortunately tragical, is impossible to be omitted in the given case.

Tehran`s nightmare: historical photo of Azerbaijanis at the both sides of Aras river, 1989; source: https://www.reddit.com/r/azerbaijan/comments/ru6ih1/azerbaijanis_from_north_and_south_on_both_sides/

Azerbaijani diaspora is spread all over the world. 31th December is celebrated not only inside Azerbaijan proper – it is popular towards those living abroad. Moreover, I think it will not be exaggeration if I would say that this is a holiday specially dedicated for the Azerbaijani diaspora. Its aims are to underline national solidarity, patriotism and spiritual roots of Azerbaijanis. Also it is a very important political and cultural tool.

New Year – symbols and traditions

Most people find Azerbaijan as a Muslim country and when they decide to visit it at the described period, they are surprised by popularity of Central European tradition – Christmas tree. Azerbaijanis do decorate trees despite they do not have much in common with other christian traditions. Once I have asked about the reason. The answer was ‘because they are nice, so why not?’. State-promoted secularism and a policy of tolerance towards religious minorities let Azerbaijanis to engraft customs earlier unknown. In Baku there are a lot Christmas trees all over the city, as well as inside the houses of locals through near all the country.

Vienna? Paris? Warsaw? No, Baku; source: https://www.azernews.az/travel/74672.html

Yeni il means ‘new year’ in Azerbaijani. According to the popular belief, there cannot be proper celebration without fireworks and the authorities of Baku pay attention to these words. Photo below has been taken during the firework show arranged every year in the capital city of Azerbaijan. For more curious ones, here is the link to the video: New Year's Eve celebration in Baku,Azerbaijan 2022.

Source:

https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/new-year-celebrations-caspian-welcomes-2020-2019-12-30-16/

Christmas trees and fireworks are not something special for people brought up in European cultural area. It is because traditionally Azerbaijanis celebrate this holiday in spring by another, mysterious name – Novruz. This is the proper, old New Year (no matter how contradictory does it sound) and that is why 1st January is celebrated in a typically Western way. There are some performances, concerts etc. Cities become noisy, colourful, people create lists of New Year`s resolutions and open bottles of champagne. The only thing that differs is the time zone. Built by Polish architects, centre of Baku with all the decorations seems to an unexperienced witness as being located somewhere in the middle of Europe.

Summary

New Year`s celebration in Azerbaijan is a good example of engrafting some extraneous customs without losing traditional values. Preceded by the International Solidarity Day, 1st January is a public holiday devoted to optimistic glance into the next 365 (or 366) days. At this point, I would like to wish a Happy New Year 2023 to all readers of this blog!