New Year's Day in Azerbaijan

New Year's Day in Azerbaijan, celebrated on January 1st, is a public holiday that marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. This day is characterized by festive celebrations across the country, blending local traditions with those adopted from other cultures.

History and Traditions:

• The modern celebration of New Year's Day was popularized in Azerbaijan during the Soviet era. Prior to this, the Azerbaijani people celebrated Nowruz, which marks the Persian New Year at the spring equinox.
• With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Azerbaijan's subsequent independence in 1991, New Year and other holidays have been reformed to incorporate both international customs and national traditions.

Activities on New Year's Day:

• Festive Decorations: Cities are decorated with lights, Christmas trees (known locally as "New Year Trees"), and other seasonal decorations. It's common to see Santa Claus figures or his local counterpart, Şaxta Baba ("Grandfather Frost"), and his granddaughter Qar Qız ("Snow Girl").

• Family Gatherings: Families gather for a festive meal on New Year's Eve that extends past midnight. Traditional Azerbaijani dishes are served alongside Russian-influenced New Year’s foods such as Olivier salad.

• Gift-Giving: Exchanging gifts is a common practice among family members and friends, especially for children who eagerly await presents from Şaxta Baba.

• Public Celebrations: There are often fireworks displays and public concerts in major cities like Baku. People take to the streets to celebrate with music, dance, and socializing.

• Television Programs: Special entertainment programs are broadcasted on television featuring music performances, gameshows, and movies.

Overall, New Year’s Day in Azerbaijan is a time of joyous celebration that brings together traditional customs with modern festivities to welcome the start of a new year.