Winter 1999 (7.4)
Page 9

Azerbaijan Holiday Calendar for 2000

January 1 January 8 January 20 March 8 March 17 March 20-21 May 9 May 28 June 15 June 26 September 1 October 18 November 12 November 17 December 31

New Year's Day Bayram Ramazan (End of Ramadan) 1 Day of Martyrs 2 International Women's Day Gurban Bayrami 3 Novruz Bayrami (Festival of Spring) Victory Day 4 Republic Day 5 National Salvation Day 6 Army Day 7 Music Day 8 National Independence Day 9 Constitution Day 10 Day of National Revival 11 Day of International Solidarity of Azerbaijanis 12

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

2 Commemorates victims of Black January (1990) and the Karabakh War
(1988- ).

3 Religious holiday commemorating Abraham's sacrifice of his son, Ismayil. Lunar calendar.

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

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

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

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

8 Birthday of Uzeyir Hajibeyov (1885-1948), composer and founder of the classical music movement in Azerbaijan. Not an official holiday but annually marks the opening of the Theater season. Hajibeyov's 115th Jubilee will be commemorated in 2000.

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

10 When the new Constitution, Azerbaijan's fourth, was ratified by voters (1995).

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

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 million or more Azerbaijanis live in Iran today. The holiday is intended to foster solidarity among Azerbaijanis throughout the world.

From Azerbaijan International (7.4) Winter 1999.
© Azerbaijan International 1999. All rights reserved.

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