{_tours_page_title_}

This tour is ideal for tourists who wish to feel the magical atmosphere of Baku during Novruz Holiday and participate in activities special for this holiday. You will have Old city tour, then towards night time, you will jump over bonfire, experience the “papaqatdi” tradition.

Novruz Holiday

Azerbaijani people are celebrating festive Novruz Holiday -- the symbol of winter's end and the advent of spring, an affirmation of life in harmony with nature, indication of equality and fraternity and renewal of nature. Novruz is an old holiday which reflects the culture, national and spiritual values of our people and popularizes them in the world. This most cherished holiday of the Azerbaijani people has an ancient history. It is often linked to Zoroastrianism, the oldest of the monotheist religions. Scientific researches relate the Novruz Holiday to the period of prophet Zardusht, which dates back 3,500 to 5,000 years.

In the ancient times Novruz in Azerbaijan was celebrated for seven days. The number seven is still reflected in the tradition of having seven different dishes on the holiday table.

Another theory suggests that Novruz dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. This holiday was celebrated in the ancient Babylon in Nisan (March, April) and the celebrations lasted 12 days, with each having their ceremonies and performances.

Houses and yards are cleaned, trees are pruned and fields cleared on Novruz eve.

Celebrations of Novruz begin a month before the actual holiday date. Novruz is related to four elements of nature -- water, fire, earth and wind. A legend goes that God created man from earth and water, gave him warmth and ordered the wind to wake him up.

Novruz Tuesdays are considered sacred. The four Tuesdays are named after these elements and called Su Chershenbesi (Water Tuesday), Odlu Chershenbe (Fire Tuesday), Hava Chershenbesi (Wind Tuesday) and Ilakhir Chershenbe or Torpaq Chershenbesi (Earth or Last Tuesday).

According to the folk belief, water purifies and stirs; fire, soil and wind awaken the nature, the trees begin to blossom. All these symbolize the coming of spring.

Novruz is associated with many traditions. On Ilakhir Chershenbe everybody should jump over bonfires seven times saying "My yellowness is for you, your redness - for me", which means "take away my diseases and give me your strength". The fire should not be put out with water as it is better to let it burn out.

Novruz is a favorite holiday because every year traditional sweets of the national cuisine such as pakhlava, shakarbura, shorgogal and badambura are cooked and served at the festive table. Also "govurgha" (toasted wheat) is mixed with nuts (mainly walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and chestnuts) and placed on the table along with the sweets.

The decoration of the festive table is khoncha, a big tray with "samani" -- freshly sprouted wheat and a symbol of hope for an abundant harvest in the coming year. The tray is placed in the center with candles and dyed eggs by the number of family members around it. The candles are lit and must not be blown out ahead of time.

One of the interesting traditions of Novruz is "papagatdi": children knock at the neighbors' doors and leave their caps, hats or a little basket waiting for candies, pastry and nuts.

Novruz in Azerbaijan is associated with the beautiful green color and is symbolized by the growing of "samani".

Places you will see:

• Icheri Sheher (literally “Inner Town”) or Old City – the historical and architectural reserve includes the Shirvanshah Palace, Synyk kala minaret, Maiden Tower, Medieval Market Square, Icheri Sheher Archaeological Museum, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi mausoleum, caravanserais, Mollahana, numerous mosques, madrassahs, bath-houses, Baku Khans’ House, also numerous rich residences of the ХIХ century.

• Miniature Books Museum - the gigantic collection of teeny and tiny books