Georgia celebrates Novruz together with its Azerbaijani citizens
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Georgia’s Azerbaijani community, together with their fellow Georgian citizens, is today celebrating Novruz - a New Year festivity that symbolises the coming of spring and rejuvenation.
To mark the occasion President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited Marneuli, a small town in the Kvemo Kartli region of southern Georgia which is predominantly populated by Georgian Azerbaijanis.
Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili (L) and President Giorgi Margvelashvili light a fire - an integral part of Novruz celebrations - in Marneuli, Georgia. Photo by President's press office.
The leaders congratulated locals on their national holiday in Azerbaijani language and promised well-wishes for each Azerbaijani family in Georgia.
President Margvelashvili hugs an Azerbaijani woman during the Novruz celebration in Marneuli, Georgia. Photo by President's press office.
"Our fellow citizens, I congratulate you on this great day bringing spring, rejuvenation, love and joy,” Kvirikashvili said.
He noted Georgians and Georgia’s Azerbaijanis were meant to build the country together.
"We share this homeland and present and we should build a brighter future together,” the PM said.
Traditionally on this day Georgia’s President and Prime Minister travel to Marneuli together to celebrate Novruz with locals.
Novruz celebration in Marneuli, Georgia. Photo by President's press office.
Novruz, which was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, is annually celebrated by Georgian Azerbaijanis.
Novruz celebration in Marneuli, Georgia. Photo by President's press office.
Azerbaijanis are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Georgia. Latest statistics reveal there are about 285,000 Azerbaijani people living in the country, which make up nearly seven percent of the whole population.
Novruz celebration in Marneuli, Georgia. Photo by President's press office.
Most of the Georgian Azerbaijanis live in rural areas like the Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti, Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions of southern and eastern Georgia. In addition, there is also a large historical Azerbaijani community in the capital city of Tbilisi.
Novruz is an ancestral festivity marking the New Year and the beginning of spring across a vast geographical area covering Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.