Novruz During War: An Ancient Spring Festival and Modern Geopolitics

This year in Azerbaijan, spring officially begins on March 20 at 13:45 Baku time (UTC+4), when the vernal equinox occurs, symbolizing the arrival of the Novruz holiday.

Every year on the day of the spring equinox, families across Eurasia gather around tables decorated with candles, painted eggs, and green wheat sprouts. Children jump over bonfires in courtyards, elders exchange sweets and blessings, and entire communities celebrate the symbolic arrival of spring.

This holiday is called Novruz, and its tradition is older than many of the countries that celebrate it — and today it carries significance far beyond the seasonal rotation of the Earth.

The celebration of Novruz, spanning territories from Iran and Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, Turkey, and parts of the Balkans, has become not only a cultural festival but also a subtle marker of identity and geopolitics in a region shaped by shifting borders and competing historical narratives.

“Novruz is one of the rare traditions that connects several civilizations at once — Persian, Turkic, and Caucasian,” says Togrul Juvvarly, an analyst at Turan Analytical Service. “It does not belong to any one nation, yet every nation in the region considers it part of its heritage.”

Today, more than 300 million people celebrate this holiday. In 2009, UNESCO recognized Novruz as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, and a year later the United Nations declared March 21 as the International Day of Novruz, elevating the ancient ritual to the level of a global cultural symbol.

But this year, as bonfires were lit across Azerbaijan and neighboring countries, the festive atmosphere was overshadowed by the shadow of war.

The escalation of conflict involving Iran, including military strikes by the United States and Israel, cast a shadow over celebrations in parts of the region, particularly in the Republic of Azerbaijan, where cultural and humanitarian ties with Iran run deep.

Rituals Older Than States

Novruz existed in the region long before Islam and Christianity. Historians trace its origins to ancient agrarian societies that organized their lives around natural cycles and the spring equinox.

Preparations begin several weeks before the holiday and follow a carefully preserved ritual structure centered on the four elements of nature.

In Azerbaijan, the month leading up to Novruz is marked by four festive Tuesdays dedicated to water, fire, wind, and earth, symbolizing the awakening of the natural world.

“These rituals reflect an ancient cosmology,” says Zardusht Alizade, an expert on Iran and the Middle East. “They represent a belief that the universe comes alive every spring through the interaction of elements.”

One of the most visible rituals is jumping over fire — a symbolic act of purification during which participants leap over small bonfires while reciting phrases intended to transfer misfortune and illness into the flames.

Another important symbol is seməni — green wheat sprouts grown at home weeks before the holiday. The sprouts symbolize fertility, renewal, and hope for a prosperous year.

The traditional Novruz tray, known in Azerbaijan as khoncha, is decorated with candles, painted eggs, nuts, and sweets, each element carrying symbolic meaning connected to rebirth and life.

Children perform playful customs such as papag atdı (throwing hats), leaving hats or small bags at neighbors’ doors to be filled with sweets, while costumed characters known as Kosa and Kechal take part in folkloric performances that combine humor with ancient seasonal rites.

A Festival of Identity

In the decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Novruz has acquired new meaning across former Soviet republics.

Governments in Central Asia and Azerbaijan have embraced the holiday as a symbol of cultural revival and historical continuity after decades during which many traditional celebrations were discouraged.

“Novruz has become a way for post-Soviet states to reconnect with deeper layers of their cultural identity,” noted Marlene Laruelle, a specialist in Eurasian cultural policy at George Washington University.

In Azerbaijan, the holiday is both a family celebration and a national event, marked by public festivals, concerts, and mass gatherings in Baku’s historic Old City.

Diplomatic missions from countries in the region also celebrate Novruz abroad, organizing receptions and cultural events that showcase national traditions.

“Novruz has become a form of cultural diplomacy,” Laruelle said. “It creates an image of a shared Eurasian heritage.”

War on the Horizon

However, this year’s celebrations took place against the backdrop of rising tensions surrounding Iran.

For Azerbaijan, this conflict carries particular emotional significance.

The country is bound to Iran by centuries-old cultural, historical, and linguistic ties, and millions of ethnic Azerbaijanis live in the northern provinces of the Iranian state. Families, cultural traditions, and historical memory extend across both sides of the border.

As a result of these ties, events in Iran often resonate deeply within Azerbaijani society.

“The connection is not limited to geopolitics,” says Shahin Hajiyev, editor at Turan. “It is also human and cultural. Many people in Azerbaijan have relatives, friends, or shared heritage across the border.”

Public opinion in Azerbaijan regarding the conflict is mixed.

Many citizens have long criticized Iran’s political system and clerical rule. However, according to analysts and commentary in Azerbaijani media, a significant portion of society does not support military strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel.

“This distinction is important,” expert said. “People may disagree with the policies of the Iranian government, but that does not mean they support war against the country itself.”

On a day traditionally associated with peace, renewal, and reconciliation, the presence of violence created a stark contrast.

“It reminds people how fragile stability can be,” Juvvarly said. “Novruz celebrates the rebirth of nature, but the surrounding world is still shaped by conflict.”

Renewal in an Uncertain World

This week, bonfires flickered in courtyards and parks across Eurasian cities as families gathered to mark the arrival of spring.

For many participants, these rituals remain deeply personal — tied to childhood memories, family traditions, and hopes for the coming year.

But in a region where politics often intrudes into everyday life, the holiday has taken on a deeper meaning: a reminder that shared traditions can endure even as political tensions intensify.

“Novruz carries a universal message,” Juvvarly said. “It is about renewal — about the idea that light follows darkness.”

And in a world marked by uncertainty and conflict, this ancient promise continues to resonate.