Azerbaijan is a country that loves its history and traditions. Azeri people like the excitement of modern life, but they also deeply respect their past.
There are a few important festivals thought the year, in different parts of Azerbaijan, with the Capital, Baku, being the hub of all festivities.
We previously wrote about specific festivals, but today we want to bring them all together for you.
These are the ten major festivals of Azerbaijan.
Apple Festival
The Apple Festival takes place in the Guba district. There is an exhibition about various types of apples and fruits, with culinary competitions about apple uses.
Baku International Jazz Festival
The Baku International Jazz Festival is a one-stop event for all jazz lovers in the Region. It has been held annually in the Capital since 2005.
Gabala Music Festival
The Gabala International Music Festival features internationally famous symphonic and philharmonic orchestras from all over the world.
Gara Garayev International Music Festival
The Gara Garayev International Music Festival is dedicated to the famous Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev. Art exhibitions, photography, and themed movies are proposed every two years for the occasion.
Hazelnut Festival
Hazelnuts and hazelnut-derived products are displayed during this exhibition. The festival takes place in the Zagatala district, which is known as the “Hazelnut capital of Azerbaijan,” and it is held every year in autumn.
International Mugham Festival
This is an international music festival held since 2009 in partnership with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Kata Festival
Kata is a traditional pie made of wild spinach and other vegetables wrapped together and cooked in a pot. The festival is held at the Historical-Architectural Museum Complex “Nakhchivangala” in April.
Maiden Tower International Art Festival
This festival is held in Baku. International artists participate every year in the festival. The festival aimed to draw attention to the endangered gazelles, so artists decorated models of gazelles together with traditional models of the Maiden Tower.
Pomegranate Festival
The Pomegranate Festival is held in the Goychay district. It’s a very peculiar festival where traditional ceremonies, dancing, and performances take place. The Goychay Pomegranate Festival is a very important event and was recently added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Uzeyir Hajibeyov International Music Festival
The Uzeyir Hajibeyov International Music Festival is dedicated to the Azeri composer and takes place every September in Baku.