Azerbaijan » Entertainment » Festivals Azerbaijani’s rejoices in many festivals throughout the year with May being the noted month for Food festivals in Baku. Many events and concerts also take place during this period. Among them are the Jazz Festival and Food exhibitions of Baku. As Muslims form the major part of the population in Azerbaijan, Ramzan is celebrated big time with festivities and decoration all around the country. Many national days have been instated to honour and remember important events in Azerbaijan’s struggle for independence. Qurban / Gurban Bayram (Day of Sacrifice) Also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, this day is very important in Muslim traditions, as it marks the end of Haji pilgrimage and the readiness of Abraham to forgo his son for God. In Azerbaijan this day is known as Qurban / Gurban Bayram where a goat or camel is sacrificed to God to remember Abraham who submitted a Ram, as God was pleased with his willingness to sacrifice his son and ordered him to sacrifice a Ram instead of his son. Novruz Bayram Novruz Bayram is the Zorastrian New Year and is now a public holiday in Azerbaijan. The novruz table is decorated with sweets, candles, dry fruits and coloured eggs. In some places the table is filled with all food items starting with the letter “S”, such as sib, sonbol, sabzi, serkeh, sir, sumakh, sekkeh and saat. A bowl of goldfish is placed in the centre of the table, as it is believed that the fish will turn north as the clock strikes New Year. Ramazan Bayram As the month of Ramazan comes to an end, Muslims all around the world celebrate the last day as Eid Ul Fitr. In Azerbaijan this day is known as Ramazan Bayram. Those who have fasted the whole month with pure heart, break the fast after seeing the full moon, by exchanging gifts and sweets among families as they come together to celebrate the festival that lasts 2 days. Prayers are offered at mosques and after that everybody then greets each other with “Id-Mubarak”. International’s Women’s Day March 8, marked as a special day to honour the spirit of women all around the world, and also for woman equality, progress and standing of a woman in a man’s world. Azerbaijani’s also commemorate this day, to celebrate their women. Victory’s Day The date of May 9 is celebrated in honour of the victory of Soviet Republic over Germany during World War II and as a mark of respect for veterans who lost their life during the war. Republic Day May 28, a public holiday, as to commemorate the day when the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was formed in 1918. Day of National Salvation of Azerbaijani People On June 15 Heydar Aliyev, returned to his position as the leader of the country which lead to many major economic and social changes in the life of Azerbaijani people bringing stabilization in the country. This day is marked as a state holiday. State Sovereignty Day On October 18, 1991 the constitutional act "About the State Independence of the Republic" was approved and implemented by the Parliament. This day is celebrated as Independence Day of Azerbaijan and is a public holiday. Constitution Day On November 12, Azerbaijan Republic Constitution was approved and implemented by the Parliament. This day is a public holiday for the citizens of Azerbaijan. Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis On December 31 in Istanbul, Turkey, Azerbaijan’s First World Congress was established. Every year this date is celebrated in the harmony that Azerbaijani people felt when they broke away from Iran and came together to form their country in 1991. International Baku Jazz Festival Jazz is much loved music in Azerbaijan and every year through various festivals and concerts jazz lovers pay their respect to the growth in jazz music in post Soviet Azerbaijan. At the Baku Jazz festival, every year, various groups, bands and musicians get together to celebrate their love for jazz music by participating in this festival Address: Baku Jazz Centre, 19 Rashid Behbudov Street, AZ1001, Baku, Azerbaijan Tel: +994 12 4371180, +994 12 4936196 Azerbaijan International Auto Show AutoShow and AutoParts are two popular automobile exhibitions held in Azerbaijan every year in the month of May, especially for car consultants and owners. With the number of cars being imported in Azerbaijan, it is no wonder that this exhibition attracts so much attention. Various cars, spare parts, equipments, buses, trucks, motocycles, trailers are displayed here. Address: The Sport and Exhibition Complex named after Heydar Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan Tel: +994 12 4474774 Fax: +994 12 4478998 World Food Azerbaijan At the World Food Azerbaijan, the exhibition tries to explain Azerbaijan’s role in world market of food products. Not only it is complying with domestic needs, but also able to meet export orders. At the exhibition are displayed various dairy, cannes, vegetable, frozen and meat products. Address: The Sport and Exhibition Complex named after Heydar Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan Tel: +994 12 4474774 Fax: +994 12 4478998 Caspian International Sea Food and Fishery Exhibition Every year during the month of May a sea food and fishery exhibition is held in Azerbaijan, to discover the present and future potential that the country holds in fishery industry in the Caspian region. Various exotic, frozen, processed and branded fish products and related equipments are laid out at the exhibition for fishing lovers, distributors, producers and consumers. Address: The Sport and Exhibition Complex named after Heydar Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan Tel: +994 12 4474774 Fax: +994 12 4478998 Agrihort Azerbaijan Knowing the plus point, that Azerbaijan has been blessed by nature by nine out of eleven climatic zones, agriculture forms a major industry in the country. The main objective of this exhibition is to further explore the agriculture industry, rather than limit the production to its own and neighbouring countries. Various agricultural products, machines, plant equipment, and spare parts are exhibited here. Address: The Sport and Exhibition Complex named after Heydar Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan Tel: +994 12 4474774 Fax: +994 12 4478998