Azerbaijan, Baku, March 20 /corr. Trend M.Aliyev/
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev took part in Nowruz festivities in Baku on March 20.
The Nowruz Holiday, which symbolizes abundance, fortune and goodness, is celebrated with joy and great inspiration in all corners of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban khanim Aliyeva arrived in the square in front of the Maiden Tower to participate in Nowruz festivities, AzerTaj state news agency reported. The head of state and his spouse were warmly welcomed by thousands of Baku residents and guests, who gathered in the square.
Scenes, depicting our history, tower walls of Icheri Sheher (Old City) and fighters with spears and shields standing on the Maiden Tower, Dada Gorgud's appeal to the nation and his calls to braves to gain a victory over the enemy, his wishes about abundance and fortune on the holiday survived the scenes of our past which is full of heroism. The ceremony was held under joyful and rhythmic melodies. Children in national costumes danced in the square.
Lighting a holiday fire President Aliyev appealed to the celebrations.
The Azerbaijani president presented to parents of Ilham Ahmedov, who was born on Jan. 15, a certificate confirming that he is the 9,000,000th citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic, and a bankbook with 20,000 manat in an account.
Later the Azerbaijan president joined the Nowruz festivities organized in Seaside National Park.
Participants in the Nowruz festivities included Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Asadov, head-of-staff of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and other senior state and government officials.