Novruz Bayram was celebrated in Strasbourg with a concert program

A concert program was organized in Strasbourg by our permanent representation to the Council of Europe on the occasion of the Novruz Bayram.

AZERTAC reports that among the audience of the concert organized with the support of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO were members of the diplomatic corps alongside the Council of Europe, representatives of various organizations, members of the local community, as well as delegates of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

Ambassador Fahraddin İsmayilov, Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, delivered a speech providing information to the participants about the Novruz Bayram and our nation's national-cultural heritage. He emphasized that Novruz, a beloved holiday for the Azerbaijani people, symbolizes the arrival of spring and the awakening of nature, reflecting people's hopes for a brighter future. He also highlighted its promotion of values such as solidarity, mutual respect, and understanding. The Permanent Representative noted that in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as the "International Day of Nowruz," and in 2016, Nowruz was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In Strasbourg's historic "Palace of Festivals," the audience was treated to an ethno-jazz music program presented by distinguished Azerbaijani artists. The lineup included Emil Afrasiyab, a Berklee College of Music graduate and laureate of several international competitions, awarded the "Audience Choice" diploma at the Montreux Jazz Festival; Enver Sadiqov, a skilled performer on accordion and garmon and honored as a People's Artist; Alekber Alekberov, a renowned tar player and Honored Artist; Iskander Alesgerov, a master of percussion instruments and Honored Artist; and Elvin Nabiyev, a talented young bass guitarist.

Shahla Aghalarova
Special correspondent of AZERTAC
Strasbourg