The Novruz holiday, embodying the national traditions and moral values of the Azerbaijani people, was celebrated at the Cultural Center of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Paris, through a joint effort by the Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France.
During the holiday celebration, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France Leyla Abdullayeva spoke about the philosophy and traditions associated with the Novruz holiday. She highlighted that in March, Azerbaijan celebrates Novruz, one of the most ancient and beloved holidays that embodies the traditional values of the Azerbaijani people. The Ambassador emphasized that in Azerbaijan, the Novruz holiday represents the rebirth of the earth, nature, spiritual purity, and equality. She explained that the holiday marks the beginning of spring and the new year according to the ancient solar calendar. She also pointed out that Novruz has been celebrated worldwide for over three thousand years, symbolizing peace, harmony, and solidarity among people.
Ambassador Leyla Abdullayeva also highlighted that the Novruz holiday is a celebration of the cultural diversity of humanity and promotes friendship between people and communities of various nations. She explained that the holiday symbolizes abundance, blessings, and kindness and is celebrated internationally. The Ambassador also highlighted that the inclusion of Novruz in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO was made possible through the tireless efforts of Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
In the spirit of the Novruz philosophy of building bridges between people and promoting unity, the celebration brought together ambassadors and diplomats from different countries accredited in France, representatives of international organizations in Paris, the French Foreign Ministry, and members of the Azerbaijani community living in France.
Khonchas reflecting Azerbaijan's Novruz tradition added a festive vibe to the occasion.
