December 31 1989· Holiday
World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day
On 31 December 1989 people in Nakhchivan tore down the border installations along the Araz, showing their wish to reunite with kin on the other side. It has been a holiday since 1991.

On 31 December 1989, along the Aras river in Nakhchivan on the Soviet-Iranian border, thousands of people tore down border installations, eager to meet their kin on the other side of the river. The event became a symbol of a divided people's longing for unity.
On 16 December 1991, on the initiative of Heydar Aliyev, the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic declared 31 December the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis — a celebration of the unity of tens of millions of Azerbaijanis living in many countries.
Congresses of World Azerbaijanis
Congresses of World Azerbaijanis have been held since 2001; in 2022 the 5th Congress met for the first time in Shusha. As 31 December is New Year's Eve, Azerbaijan celebrates Solidarity Day and the New Year together.
Video
Photos

5th Congress of World Azerbaijanis in Shusha, 2022 · Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 
5th Congress of World Azerbaijanis · Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 
Congress participants · Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 
The congress in Shusha · Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 
The Aras river · Bita tayyebi / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Solidarity Day and New Year address · Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0
Azerbaijan: other days
- January 1New Year's Day
- January 2020 January, Day of National Mourning
- February 26Khojaly Genocide Day
- March 8International Women's Day
- March 21Nowruz
- March 31Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis
- May 9Victory Day
- May 28Independence Day
- June 15National Salvation Day
- June 26Armed Forces Day
- July 22National Press Day
- August 1Day of the Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language
- September 18National Music Day
- September 27Remembrance Day
- October 3Founding of the Organization of Turkic States
- October 18Independence Restoration Day
- November 8Victory Day
- November 9National Flag Day
- November 12Constitution Day
- November 17National Revival Day
- 10 Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar — the feast of the Hajj pilgrimage; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Adha
- 1 Shawwal in the Islamic calendar — the end of the Ramadan fast; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Fitr


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