AZERBAIJAN

AZERBAIJAN is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a rich and ancient history. A state system formed in the 9^th century B.C. THE MANNA state reached high economic and cultural levels. The Medes conquered Manna in the first part of the 6^th century B.C. The name of the country comes from the name ATROPATENA ruler –Atropat. Later it became AZERBAIJAN. In the 5^th century B.C. the AZERBAIJAN state became strong again. In the medieval centuries the Gara goyunly, ag goyunly and Sefevids  states were in power. In the 18^th century a number of independent states – khanates appeared. May 28, 1918 is the day of  establishing the Independent Azerbaijan Republic. It lived for only 23 months. Troops of the 11^th Red Army came to Baku. In December, 1992 Azerbaijan bcame apartof the former USSR. In 1991 azerbaijan gained its independenceagain. It opened anew stage in the history of  AZERBAIJAN.       

text: Sherafet Bayramov

Baku is the capital and the largest city of Azerbaijan.It is on the southern shore of the Apsheron peninsula.The origin of the name Baku comes from “bad kupe”-“city of winds”. 

The center of Baku is the old town. It also a Fortrss. In the old town you can see narrow alleys and ancient buildings: the palace of of shir-vanshahs, two caravansarays (ancient inns),the 11^th century Maiden’s Tower,  the baths and the Djuma Mosque. The town also has dozens of small mosques. These places are among the most visited sights in Baku.

  The southern part of the old city has interesting art and architecture. Fine arts,history and literature museums are here.

  Modern Baku has eleven districts and 48 townships.  Among these are townships on islands in the bay and one island town, “Oil Rocks”,built on stilts in the Caspian Sea .

text: Şahmar

My motherland is Azerbaijan!
I am proud of my country and I'm always ready to tell all the friends about my native land, national holidays, traditions, habits etc.
First of all I want to introduce myself: I am Parvana Pirieva.

I'm a teacher of English  in a secondary school №1 named after I.Hasanov in Ismailly city .It'll be a great pleasure for my students and me to visit Turkey for such a reason like joining Global Motherland Project.

We're successfully colloborating with Turkey and Russia.We are happy to know Them!

Dear Friends!I want to tell you about our national Holiday "Novruz"

 What is Novruz?

Novruz is a green samani ,coloured eggs, sweets and bonfires.
Novruz is a National Holiday in Azerbaijan. Novruz means a new day, Novruz is one of the oldest holidays in the world. It is a universal holiday. It belongs to many peoples of the world. People celebrate Novruz as the birthday of nature and life. The Azerbaijanis celebrate Novruz on 21-st March. On this day the sun crosses the equator and lightens the whole planet. We also call it “Spring Holiday” . They celebrate spring holidays in Asia – Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Afganistan, Pakistan and in Bulgaria too.There are four pre-holiday Tuesdays before Novruz. They have all got names. The first Tuesday is Water, the second Tuesday is Fire, the third Tuesday is Air and the fourth Tuesday is the Earth. On these Tuesdays we organize celebrations with the closest friends. Everybody must talk about good and pleasant things. Mothers cook plov. Children jump over the bonfires.

    Novruz rituals are very interesting. Parents usually have gifts for their children. They buy new clothing and sweets. Nature changes its clothing and people do the same. Azeri people clean and decorate houses, yards, streets,and squares.It is the time for charity too. People make khonchas and give them to the needy people. There is always pakhlava, shakarbura, gogal, sweets, biscuits, nuts, dry fruit, raisin and a big samani in the middle of khonchas. Candles around khonchas burn  and lighten them.

 Spring Maiden comes on 21-st March. She wears a national costume. She travels on a phayton with horses. Spring Maiden Decorates  her phayton with  flowers, red ribbons and bells. There`s a show with “Kosa” and “Kechal (the bold)”. They take part at Novruz celebrations too. They look very funny in their costumes. They make people laugh with their tricks. And then they ask for treats.
    We send greeting cards to our relatives. We also visit our grandparents. We congratulate everybody and say “I wish you a Happy Holiday!” 
 We want to invite all of you to Azerbaijan, sure you can't but fall in love with my country!
LOVE,

text and photo: Parvana Baratova