Novruz, which reflects our century-old traditions and moral values, is the holiday of rebirth of nature. Word “novruz” means a new day, a new year. This holiday is the beginning of health and prosperity. Novruz Holiday is one of the major elements of our culture, an integral part of our national identity that characterizes us as a nation. The source of Novruz, the origin of myths related to this holiday date back to very ancient times. Researchers say Novruz was first celebrated by ancient nations in Middle East dealing with cropping.  

In his work “Siyasetname”, Nizamulmulk, the great scientist in the east, mentions Novruz as a mass folk festival marking the arrival of spring. The arrival of Novruz is depicted and praised in lyric poems named bahariyye, which are broadly spread in classical eastern and Azerbaijani poetry. Such folk dances as Novruzu, Novruzgulu created by the Azerbaijani people are sourced from love for this holiday.

Safeguarding Novruz through historical difficulties our people preserved a national identity and unity. Novruz is officially celebrated after independence was gained. To national leader Heydar Aliyev, Novruz was a phenomenon uniting our people throughout history, nourishing their existence with solidarity, greatness and power of life. And today this national historical achievement has clearly and unambiguously been confirmed in our republic.  

Thanks to intensive activities of Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP, Novruz was included into the list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO in 2009. And at the initiative of Azerbaijan 21 March was announced International Day of Novruz at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly on 23 February, 2010. It reflects the high value set to the universal role of this holiday.

Novruz is the festival of euphoria, enthusiasm of labor, love for soil and human. This holiday excites a man to live confidently. On the eve of this sacred holiday we wish happiness, welfare, good health and success to every Azerbaijani, every citizen of our country. I congratulate our people on ancient and amazing Novruz, wish peace, prosperity and progress to our country.  

Naila Mammadova, 
Activist, "Azerbaijan Realities" group.