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Azerbaijani President attends nationwide Novruz festivities in Baku - PHOTOSESSION

Azerbaijani President attends nationwide Novruz festivities in Baku - <font color=red>PHOTOSESSION</font>

19 March 2012 12:44 (UTC +04:00)

According to APA, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva also attended Novruz festivities.

The Head of State and his wife came to the square outside the Maiden Tower to participate in Novruz festivities. Dada Gorgud gave his blessing and expressed hope for the spring holiday to bring abundance to our people. President Ilham Aliyev started the Novruz bonfire.

The head of state delivered a speech on the holiday occasion.

Then Azerbaijani President and his wife visited the National Seaside Park. President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva met with the key characters of Novruz â€“ Kosa and Kechal, who congratulated the President and his wife on the holiday and competed with the head of state in egg breaking.

Performances by amateur talent groups representing various regions of Azerbaijan were greeted with interest. President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva listened to performances by Ashug and Mugham masters. The Oriental bazaar organized at the National Park lent a special touch to the festivities, as handicraft items made in different parts of the country were demonstrated there. The head of state and his wife received some presents.

Young athletes were wrestling on a map near-by, while sportsmen were demonstrating their skill. President Ilham Aliyev, his wife Mehriban Aliyeva and other participants in the festivities watched these scenes and reviewed samples of ancient handicrafts.

The head of state and his wife also toured an exhibition of products grown in Azerbaijan. The President of Azerbaijan and his wife tried the shish kebabs cooked on a brazier. Various sweets, the symbols of Novruz, were also on display at a ceremony demonstrating ancient folk crafts. President and his wife had tea with traditional festive treats.

The head of state and his wife examined the works by young artists, designers and craftsmen. Artists, performers of Maykhana, Ashugs, rope-dancers, Naghara drummers, etc. demonstrated the customs and traditions of our people and ancient crafts.

The oriental bazaar organized at the National Park displayed food products grown and produced in various parts of Azerbaijan.

The crowd keenly watched the performance by members of the Arm-wrestling Federation.

Bahar Gyz presented President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva with a holiday tray filled with traditional festive treats.

President was given the first ticket for the U-17 Womenâ€™s World Cup that will be held in Azerbaijan.

The President was also informed about the championship ticket sales. The tickets for this competition, which will start on September 22 in the Republic Stadium named after Tofig Bahramov, will be offered for online sale starting with April 16.

Azerbaijani President and First Lady signed the address to the International Olympic Committee to support campaign for hosting 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Baku.

The Head of State extended once again his good wishes on Novruz to residents and guests of Baku.

Also attending the festivities on the occasion of Novruz were Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Speaker of the Milli Mejlis Ogtay Asadov, Chief-of-Staff of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and other officials.