Azerbaijan International

Winter 2001 (9.4)

Holiday Calendar for 2002

ISR Plaza in Baku
Jan 1  New Year's Day
Jan 20  Day of Martyrs 1
Feb 22  Gurban Bayrami 2
Mar 8  International Women's Day
Mar 21  Novruz Bayrami (Festival of Spring)
May 9  Victory Day 3
May 28  Republic Day 4
Jun 15  National Salvation Day 5
Jun 26  Army Day 6
Sept18   Music Day 7
Oct 18  National Independence Day 8
Nov 12  Constitution Day 9
Nov 17  Day of National Revival 10
Dec 6  Bayram Ramazan (End of Ramadan) 11
Dec 31  Day of International Solidarity of
Azerbaijanis 12

Photo: ISR Plaza in Baku on National Independence Day, October 18, 2001.






1 Commemorates the victims of the tragic events of Black January (1990), when Soviet troops attacked Azerbaijani civilians in Baku, and the Karabakh War (1988- ).

2 Religious holiday commemorating Abraham's sacrifice of his son, Ismayil. Moveable date based on the lunar calendar.

3 Holiday from Soviet period celebrating Soviet victory over Germans in World War II.

4 Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (ADR), the nation's first independent government (1918-1920). Considered the most important national holiday.

5 When Parliament invited Heydar Aliyev to come to Baku to lead the country (1993).

6 Commemorating the establishment of Azerbaijan's first army under the independent government of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918).

7 Birthday of Uzeyir Hajibeyov (1885-1948), composer and founder of the composed classical music movement in Azerbaijan. Not an official holiday but annually marks the opening of the Theater Season.

8 When Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union (1991). The USSR officially collapsed on December 7, 1991.

9 When the new Constitution, Azerbaijan's fourth, was ratified (1995).

10 When the first demonstrations broke out in Azerbaijan against Moscow's policies as they related to Nagorno-Karabakh (1988).

11 Marks the end of the traditional Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan. Lunar calendar.

12 When Azerbaijanis broke down the barriers (during the Soviet period in 1989) along the border that separates them (North Azerbaijan) from (South Azerbaijan) Iran. An estimated 25-30 million Azerbaijanis live in Iran today. This holiday is intended to foster solidarity among Azerbaijanis throughout the world.

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From
Azerbaijan International (9.4) Winter 2001.
© Azerbaijan International 2002. All rights reserved.

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