Novruz Bayrami at the Brandenburger Tor

 ASN organized on the 22 March 2014 a „Novruz Bayrami“ spring festival at the Brandenburger Tor. Novruz Byrami means “the new day”. It is an Azerbaijan holiday to celebrate the beginning of spring. It was the first time the ASN arranged this festival in Germany on the streets. Since a long time this was the first opportunity for many Azerbaijani and others who like to celebrate to experience Novruz Bayrami.

The festival started at 13:00. A Band played traditional Azerbaijan music and traditionally dressed students danced the dance “Yalli” to welcome the spring. The people passing by showed great interest and some of them joined the dance. The German TV station RBB and other media were there as well to report about this exciting event. Although the weather was rainy in the beginning the atmosphere was very good.

After the dance the fight between Kecel (the spring) and Kosa (the winter) started. They fought by banging painted eggs against each other. The looser was the one whose egg broke first. Of course Kecel won and was celebrated with a huge applause by the audience. Children who were watching could join the game and win sweets and other gifts. Flowers (Tülpan) and sweets were handed out and the dancing continued. The celebrating was not unsuccessful. Kosa went away and at the end the sun started to shine in front of the Brandenburger Tor.

In the evening the Novruzfestival continued at “Mein Haus am See” at Rosenthaler Platz. The cosy bar was the perfect location for a great party. More than 200 people from many different countries attended the party, among them many students, academics and artists who contributed to the brilliant atmosphere. The numerous guests were welcomed with a traditional rice dish and different sweet desserts. A DJ played a mix from Azerbaijan music to pop music and HipHop. The Bar offered a wide range of refreshments everyone needed because of the frisky dancing. Everyone who wanted could be photographed in traditional outfits. It was a great party and a condign welcome for the spring. In the newscast of the 22 March the german TV station RBB reported on the Novruz festival organized by the ASN.