· 5-minute read
Novruz: four Tuesdays and a bonfire
In March the Old City gets ready for the holiday. What to expect if you come to Baku for Novruz, and how we mark it at the house.
Novruz is the coming of spring and falls on the equinox, 20 or 21 March. The four Tuesdays before it are called, one after another, the Tuesdays of Water, Fire, Wind and Earth.
The table
In the middle of the table stands samani: green wheat shoots set in water a few weeks earlier and tied with a red ribbon. Around it are shekerbura, pakhlava, shorgogal, painted eggs and candles. The holiday plov is usually made with dill and dried fruit.
On the evening of 20 March Anjir lays the holiday table. Guests who book that night with us are guests at the table, at no extra charge.
The bonfire
In the evening bonfires are lit in the courtyards and people jump over them, so the weight of the old year stays in the fire. We light a small one in our courtyard too; for children there are candles set to one side.
Good to know
During the holiday the Old City is very lively, with music in the streets and performances in the squares. These nights are at the holiday rate and the rooms go quickly: we suggest booking March in February.
The Novruz offer
