Azerbaijani community celebrates Novruz in Georgia

The Azerbaijani community of Georgia is celebrating Novruz today – an ancient new year festival that symbolises the coming of spring and rebirth.

To mark the occasion President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited the city of Marneuli in Georgia’s southern Kvemo Kartli region which is predominantly populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis.

Traditionally on this day, Georgia’s President and Prime Minister travel to Marneuli together to celebrate Novruz with locals. Photo: President's press office.

Kvirikashvili called Georgia’s Azerbaijani community "an asset of the country” and said that "we are one family”.

"We are building our homeland together and always stand by each other. I am sure that future generations will build an even better country together, hand in hand”, Kvirikashvili said.

Kvirikashvili also commended Georgian Azerbaijanis for helping Georgia maintain close ties with Azerbaijan.

• Spring is in the air: Novruz in Tbilisi

A number of festive events will take place throughout the day in Marneuli today.

A great variety of performances entertain people in Marneuli on this day. Photo: President's press office.

Traditionally on this day, Georgia’s President and Prime Minister travel to Marneuli together to celebrate Novruz with locals.

Azerbaijanis are the largest ethnic minority group in Georgia. Latest statistics reveal there are about 285,000 Azerbaijani people living in the country, which makes up nearly seven percent of the whole population.

Most Georgian Azerbaijanis live in rural areas like 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, which is inscribed in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is annually celebrated by Georgian Azerbaijanis.