Exploring Azerbaijan's Calendar And Weekly Customs

Today is Wednesday, 23 October 2024, in Azerbaijan. There are no holidays in Azerbaijan today, but there are several coming up, including Victory Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Flag Day of Azerbaijan, and National Revival Day.

National holidays

Azerbaijan has several public holidays, which are regulated by the country's constitution. The national holidays with days off work include:

• New Year's Day (1 and 2 January)
• Women's Day (8 March)
• Day of Victory over Fascism (9 May)
• Independence Day (28 May)
• Day of National Salvation of the Azerbaijani People (15 June)
• Armed Forces Day (26 June)
• Restoration of Independence Day (18 October)
• Victory Day (8 November)
• National Flag Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan (9 November)
• Constitution Day (12 November)
• National Revival Day (17 November)
• World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day (31 December)
• Novruz (five days)
• Eid al-Adha (Gurban) (two days)
• Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan) (two days)

Additionally, there are several national days in Azerbaijan that are working days, such as Day of Azerbaijani Customs (30 January), Day of Youth in Azerbaijan (2 February), Day of Revenue Service (11 February), and Khojaly Massacre Commemoration Day (26 February).

Public holidays

Azerbaijan has a wide range of public holidays, some of which are unique to the country and others that are celebrated in other post-Soviet nations. The country's public holidays are regulated by the Constitution of Azerbaijan.

New Year is one of Azerbaijan's most popular holidays, celebrated with relatives and friends. The festivities begin on the evening of December 31 and continue into the new year with a splendid feast and gifts for children.

Martyrs' Day, or Qara Yanvar, is a sombre occasion that commemorates the victims of the tragic events of "Black January" in 1990. On January 20, Soviet troops entered Baku and attacked civil protesters, resulting in the deaths of over 130 civilians.

Women's Day on March 8 is dedicated to women's rights and achievements. Men gift presents and flowers to the women in their lives, and it is also common for them to organise dinner and take responsibility for household chores.

Novruz is the most significant holiday in Azerbaijan, marking the Persian/Lunar New Year and the arrival of spring. It is celebrated with folk concerts, festivals, comedic performances, and special symbolic foods. Novruz is also a time when Muslims in Azerbaijan celebrate Ramadan.

Victory Day, or Faşizm üzərinə qələbə günü, commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany during World War II. Azerbaijan contributed significantly to this victory, with about 700,000 Azerbaijanis sent to the front lines and over 300,000 killed in battle.

Republic Day, or Müstəqillik Günü, commemorates the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on May 28, 1918. This date also marks when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic granted women the right to vote, making it the first Muslim-majority state to do so.

National Salvation Day, or Azərbaycan xalqının Milli Qurtuluş günü, celebrates the return of Heydar Aliyev, the country's long-time leader, in 1993. This event helped prevent a looming civil war and is marked by a military parade in Baku presided over by the President.

Armed Forces Day, or Azərbaycan Respublikasının Silahlı Qüvvələri günü, commemorates the birth of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in 1918. The highlight of this day is the massive military parade and air show in Baku.

Gurban Bayrami, or Eid al-Adha, is an Islamic holiday that honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. In Azerbaijan, two of the three days of this holiday are state holidays, during which an animal, typically a sheep, is sacrificed and the meat is shared with family, the poor, and friends.

Independence Day, or Independence Restoration Day, is celebrated annually on October 18 to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of Azerbaijan in 1991.

National Flag Day, or Dövlət Bayrağı günü, marks the adoption of the Flag of Azerbaijan on November 9, 1918. This day is celebrated with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the National Flag Square in Baku.

Constitution Day on November 12 is a day that holds great national significance for Azerbaijanis as it honours the document that laid the foundation for statehood in the newly formed republic.

World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day, or Dünya Azərbaycanlılarının Həmrəyliyi günü, commemorates the dismantling of the border fence between Soviet Azerbaijan and Iran in December 1989, which reunified Azerbaijanis living on both sides. This holiday is typically celebrated with cultural events and feasts in Azerbaijan and among the Azerbaijani diaspora worldwide.

Religious holidays

Azerbaijan is the only Muslim country in the South Caucasus, and its religious holidays reflect this. However, the country is highly secular and irreligious, and only the holidays of Ramadan and Qurban (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) are non-working religious days.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Muslims in Azerbaijan celebrate Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the holiday of Ramazan Bayrami (also known as Eid al-Fitr), which marks the end of the month. Two days off work are granted to celebrate the Ramadan holiday, during which people assemble in mosques to pray, gather with families and friends to feast, and give small gifts to children. It is also obligatory to make a financial donation to the poor so that they, too, can celebrate.

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, or Gurban Bayrami, is an Islamic holiday that honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. In Azerbaijan, two of the three days of Eid al-Adha are state holidays. Celebrations centre on the sacrifice of an animal, usually a sheep, whose meat is then divided into three parts to be shared with family, the poor, and friends.

Day of Ashura

The religious population of Azerbaijan, mainly in Nardaran and a number of other villages and regions, celebrate the Day of Ashura, a Shia mourning day in the Islamic calendar.

Azerbaijan also recognises the religious holidays of its religious minorities, mainly Orthodox Christians and Jews.

National days

Azerbaijan has a number of national holidays, including:

New Year's Day

Celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of January, New Year's Day is a public holiday in Azerbaijan. The tradition of celebrating the new calendar year starting on 1 January dates back to 46 BC, when it was initiated by Roman ruler Julius Caesar.

International Women's Day

On 8 March, Azerbaijan celebrates International Women's Day, commemorating the decision made by the Copenhagen conference of women socialists in 1910. In 1975, the United Nations decided to celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March annually. In Azerbaijan, women have played a significant role in the nation's history and have been granted equal political rights.

Victory Day over Fascism

This holiday, celebrated on 9 May, commemorates Azerbaijan's contribution to the victory over fascism in World War II. The country sent about 700,000 of its people to the front lines, with more than 300,000 losing their lives in battle.

Independence Day

Azerbaijan's Independence Day is celebrated on 28 May, marking the day the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was founded as the first secular democratic state in the Muslim East in 1918. This day also commemorates the extension of suffrage to women, making Azerbaijan one of the first countries to grant women equal political rights.

Day of National Salvation of the Azerbaijani People

This national holiday is celebrated on 15 June and commemorates the election of Heydar Aliyev as chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 15 June 1993. Heydar Aliyev's leadership prevented civil war and ensured the country's independence.

Armed Forces Day

Celebrated on 26 June, Armed Forces Day commemorates the founding of the Azerbaijani National Army in 1918. This day honours the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve in the Azerbaijani military, protecting the country's independence and security.

Restoration of Independence Day

On 18 October, Azerbaijan celebrates the restoration of its state independence after the collapse of the USSR. On this day in 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted the Constitutional Act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan", officially declaring their independence.

Victory Day

Azerbaijan's Victory Day is celebrated on 8 November and commemorates the country's victory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. This day honours the brave soldiers and officers who fought to liberate occupied territories and restore justice.

National Flag Day

On 9 November, Azerbaijan celebrates National Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the country's flag on the same date in 1918. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of blue, red, and green, with a white crescent and eight-pointed star in the centre.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day, celebrated on 12 November, marks the adoption of the Constitution of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan in a nationwide referendum on this day in 1995. The Constitution ensures democratic and modern state-building, as well as fundamental socio-economic and political reforms.

National Revival Day

This national holiday, celebrated on 17 November, commemorates the long-term protests that began in 1988 against the Soviet Union's anti-Azerbaijani policies and Armenia's aggression. Despite a curfew imposed by Soviet troops, the protests continued, marking a significant step towards Azerbaijan's independence.

World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day

Celebrated on 31 December, this holiday was inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the removal of borders between Soviet Azerbaijan and Iran in 1989. It is celebrated by Azeris worldwide as a day of unity and solidarity.

History of Azerbaijan's holidays

Azerbaijan has several public holidays, which were first regulated in the constitution of the Azerbaijan SSR on 19 May 1921. They are now regulated by the Constitution of Azerbaijan.

New Year's Day

The first of January marks the beginning of the new year according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in Azerbaijan.

Women's Day

Celebrated on 8 March, Women's Day is the international day of solidarity of women in the struggle for equal rights. It was first marked in 1911 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark, and in Azerbaijan in 1917.

Victory Day

Celebrated on 8 November, Victory Day commemorates Azerbaijan's victory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and the Battle of Shusha. It is a non-working day.

Day of Victory over Fascism

Celebrated on 9 May, this holiday commemorates the victory of the USSR over Nazi Germany during World War II. Azerbaijan contributed about 700,000 soldiers and officers to the front, of whom more than 300,000 were killed in battle.

Independence Day

On 28 May 1918, the National Council of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic declared the country's independence. This date is now celebrated as Independence Day.

National Salvation Day

Also known as Azərbaycan xalqının Milli Qurtuluş günü, this holiday commemorates the election of Heydar Aliyev as chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 15 June 1993.

Armed Forces Day

Celebrated on 26 June, Armed Forces Day commemorates the founding of the Azerbaijani National Army on 26 June 1918.

State Flag Day

Celebrated on 9 November, State Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the Flag of Azerbaijan on 9 November 1918, which was officially established as the State Flag Day in 2009.

Constitution Day

Celebrated on 12 November, Constitution Day marks the adoption of the first Constitution of Azerbaijan at the First All-Azerbaijan Congress of Soviets on 19 May 1921.

National Revival Day

On 17 November 1988, long-term protests started in Baku against the Soviet leadership's anti-Azerbaijani policy concerning the Karabakh problem and Armenia's aggression. This event marked the beginning of the popular movement in Azerbaijan and is celebrated as National Revival Day.

World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day

Celebrated on 31 December, this holiday commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall and the removal of borders between Soviet Azerbaijan and Iran on 31 December 1989. It is celebrated by Azeris around the world as a show of solidarity.

Novruz Holiday

Novruz is an ancient traditional holiday that reflects and promotes the cultural, national, and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people. It is celebrated during 20-24 March and is associated with the arrival of spring. Traditions include growing malt, dyeing eggs, jumping over water, and lighting bonfires.

Gurban Bayrami Holiday

Also known as Eid al-Adha, this religious ceremony is celebrated throughout the Muslim world. It commemorates a story associated with Prophet Ibrahim, in which God asked him to sacrifice his only son Ismail as a test of loyalty.

Ramadan Holiday

Also known as Eid al-Fitr, this holiday marks the end of fasting during the month of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking during the daytime.

Frequently asked questions