^{Images by Onnik James Krikorian}

The weather this year was not the greatest for the annual Novruz celebration among Georgia’s ethnic Azerbaijani community. However, there was still no end of events to mark the occasion, which is also celebrated in Iran, Central Asia, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and elsewhere, though traditions may vary. Perhaps it was global warming that disrupted the weather this year, but even if many events had to be moved indoors, some were more fortunate.

That was certainly the case for an event in the area around the Sulphur Baths in Tbilisi’s Old Town. Blessed with sunny weather, large crowds assembled in the Abanotubani area that featured a stage and tents and stalls representing Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye. The event was supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Georgia, the Mirza Fatali Akhundzade Museum of Azerbaijani Culture, and the Council of Azerbaijani Elders in Georgia.

The Ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Faig Guliyev and Ali Kaan Orbay, were present, as were their counterparts from Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. 

Also present were officials from Tbilisi City Hall as well as visiting musicians and dancers from Azerbaijan. The Jeiran Dance Group also performed along with local Ashiq, Nargile Mehtiyeva. In his speech, Guliyev specifically mentioned this was the first time Novruz could be celebrated in all the regions of Azerbaijan.

However, other locations were less fortunate with the weather. A day before, on Ilaxir Charshanba, in Gardabani, the centre of the municipality of the same name in Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli region, rain forced performers and those in attendance to move events to the Cultural House opposite. The Jeiran Dance Group was again present, as was the local Azerbaijani Children’s Theatre, Beez. Meanwhile, in Khojorni, a mixed-ethnic Armenian-Azerbaijani village in the Marneuli District of Kvemo Kartli, local ethnic Azerbaijani children performed for ethnic Armenian pupils in the local school. 

On Novruz itself on the 21st, the event in Marneuli was held outdoors as planned. However, at first, the weather was also overcast and wet until the sun finally came out, perhaps symbolically to represent the coming of spring. Not only did the Ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Türkiye also attend, but so too did the newly appointed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The event ended with a concert by singer Vefa Sherifova, a guest for the event from Azerbaijan.

Regardless of the weather, wherever it is celebrated and no matter how, Novruz Bayramınız Mübarək.