Azerbaijan starts celebrating Novruz Bayram

This year, the days of March 20-26 were declared to be official holidays on the occasion of celebrating Novruz Bayram, the holiday symbolizing the coming of spring. However, the festivities have been already started on March 19.

By tradition, the festivities began with the lighting of a bonfire near the Maiden Tower in the old town in the centre of Baku. The festive bonfire was lit by President Ilham Aliev. The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani leaders and members of the government.

In Azerbaijan, a series of the presidential decrees to strengthen social protection of low-income layers of population was timed to the celebration of Novruz Bayram. In particular, pensions to invalids, who participated in the Karabakh war, were increased.

Meanwhile, human rights defenders have expressed their disappointment by the fact that this year, the tradition to adopt an act of pardon on the occasion of the holiday is violated.

"Usually, an act of pardon is already signed on March 15-16. Apparently, this year, no act of pardon will be issued on the occasion of Novruz. Act of pardon would be a good opportunity to release some political prisoners. At present, nine journalists, six bloggers and activists of social networks on the Internet are held in prisons, and the total number of prisoners exceeds 130," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by Emin Guseinov, Director of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS).