page_title: Culture of Azerbaijan
section_title: National holidays
hierarchical_section_title: Culture of Azerbaijan / National holidays
caption_attribution_description: English: A man wearing an old-style Azerbaijani military garment during a Nowruz celebration in Baku, Azerbaijan. Русский: Солдат в старинной форме празднование Новруза в Баку.
context_page_description: The Culture of Azerbaijan developed under the influence of Iranian, Turkic and Caucasian heritage as well as Russian influences due to its former status as a Soviet republic. Today, western influences, including globalized consumer culture, are prevalent.
context_section_description: The most celebrated traditional Azerbaijani holiday is Novruz Bayram, which is the traditional celebration of the ancient New Year. Novruz is a family holiday. In the evening before the holiday the whole family gathers around the holiday table laid with various dishes to make the New Year rich. The holiday goes on for several days and ends with festive public dancing and other entertainment of folk bands, and contests of national sports. During the Soviet Union, celebration of Novruz was generally unofficial, and at times even prohibited. Since the independence of Azerbaijan, Novruz became an official public holiday. Usually preparation for Novruz begins a month prior to the festival. Each Tuesday of the forthcoming 4 weeks is devoted to one of the four elements - water, fire, earth and wind.
  Other public and traditional holidays include Ramadan, Women's Day, Ramazan Bayrami, Gurban Bayrami, Republic Day, Constitution Day, Victory Day, Armed Forces Day, Salvation Day, Flag Day, and more.
  Commemoration and remembrance days include Black January, Khojaly Massacre and the March Days.
  State symbols of Azerbaijan include the Eight-pointed star, combined with fire element in the Azerbaijan coat of arms. The Azerbaijani flag dates from the late Azerbaijan Democratic Republic period and became widely used since modern times. Azerbaijan National Anthem contains words by Ahmad Javad, and the music was composed by Uzeyir Hajibeyov.
caption: A man wearing an ancient Azerbaijani military garment during a Nowruz celebration in Baku.
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