By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Azerbaijani cultural night and Novruz holiday event was held at Grand Hyatt Seoul on March 18. The festive event was organized jointly by Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea and Azerbaijani Diaspora Support Fund under State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Delivering welcoming speech at the event, H.E. Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea said, “Novruz is being celebrated for millennia by almost half a billion people living in the Caucasus, Balkans, Caspian Sea basin, Black Sea basin, Central Asia, West Asia, Middle East and other regions. Novruz fosters peace, solidarity, reconciliation and good neighborly values, and thus promotes cultural diversity, tolerance, friendship, including inter-civilizational and intercultural dialogue among nations.”

Noting that Novruz holiday, embedded in the rich national and spiritual roots of our people, is a mysterious relic of our ancestors to the current generations, Amb. Hasanov said, “The diverse customs and traditions of Novruz are one of the unique contributions of our people to the world culture and multiculturalism.”

He also explained, “Novruz, being one of the oldest, most beloved and cherished holidays of Azerbaijani people, is celebrated as a national holiday throughout our country, as well as in foreign states.”

Over 300 guests, including foreign ambassadors and senior diplomats from the Foreign Diplomatic Corps in Korea, Korean journalists and other local and international dignitaries, attended the gala event.

It was a special occasion for participants in the event to experience the vibrant traditions and culture of Azerbaijan, including traditional music, national dance performances, and a selection of Azerbaijani delicacies.