President celebrates Novruz with ethnic Azerbaijani population
President Salome Zurabishvili meets locals of Gardabani in Georgia’s eastern region of Kvemo Kartli. Photo: President's press office
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili visited Gardabani in Georgia’s eastern region of Kvemo Kartli to congratulate the local Azeri population on the holiday of Novruz.
I ... feel at home here, just like any other place in Georgia, and I am very happy to be at home with you and to have the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful holiday together", Zurabishvili said while speaking with locals.
Lighting the traditional fire ???? to celebrate #Novruz in #Gardabani pic.twitter.com/MjTx9cGS9P
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) March 20, 2019
During her visit President Zurabishvili spoke of the importance of continuing traditions, and stressed that tolerance is “one of the key values” of Georgian identity.
I am very proud and I say it all over the world that Georgia is a place where everyone can live; where people of different origins, different religions live together in such a way so that there are no conflicts or disputes among them”, the President stressed.
Novruz is an ancient holiday and marks the beginning of spring. Photo: President's press office
Azerbaijanis are the largest ethnic minority group in Georgia. The holiday, which was inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, is annually celebrated by Georgian Azerbaijanis.
- 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.