What is Novruz?
Novruz celebrates spring and new beginnings, marking the vernal equinox and symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. It is widely celebrated in Azerbaijan, Iran, and other Turkic-speaking and Central Asian countries. The holiday is rooted in ancient Zoroastrian traditions and spans several weeks, with festivities starting a month before the main day. Each of the four Tuesdays (“Çərşənbə”) leading up to Novruz represents one of the four elements (water, fire, earth, and wind) which are believed to symbolise the awakening of nature.
Novruz is all about lively traditions—from jumping over bonfires and leavinglast year’s worries behind, to preparing delicious feasts, setting up khonchas (decorative trays), and spending time with family and friends. It’s a holiday full of warmth, generosity, and fresh hopes for the year ahead.
My Personal Experience:
For me, Novruz is one of those holidays that instantly transports me back home, where the aroma of saffron-infused “plov” fills the air, lively music echoes from the TV, and laughter circles the dining table. No matter how well someone adapts to living abroad, it’s during these moments that we truly feel the stark contrast of our lives being so far from home and, most importantly, family.
However, I felt inspired to write this guide, driven by my enthusiasm for maintaining cultural practices despite the distance and motivated by the large Azerbaijani student population in Tartu. So, let’s dive into each essential part of Novruz and how you can celebrate it right here in Tartu!
1) The Food: A Taste of Home in Tartu
For the best “plov”, I’d recommend using basmati rice. While saffron isn’t the easiest to find (though I have spotted some at Gemoss), it’s definitely worth the search for that authentic flavour. If dolma is your dish of choice, I’ve had some luck finding grape leaves at Maxima, Lidl, and Kaubamaja.
Currently, the closest substitute for “təndir” bread I’ve found is Georgian bread, available at most supermarkets. As for “qatıq” (Azerbaijani yoghurt), the closest alternative is this specific yoghurt in Maxima, which works surprisingly well!
If this is your first time attempting to cook these dishes and you’re convinced only your mom can make the perfect “plov”, rest assured — that’s just not true! With a bit of patience and a lot of ghee, you’ll get there!
Pro tip: Check out these YouTube playlists for step-by-step tutorials:
2) The Xonça: A Decorative Centerpiece
The “xonça” is a decorative tray filled with pastries, dyed eggs, candles, nuts, and most importantly, “səməni’ — young wheat grass symbolizing new life. You can find “səməni” sold as “cat grass” at local flower-shops in Tartu. While the sight of a ribbon-wrapped cat grass might be a bit off-putting, painting the pot all festive can fix that!
Last year, I had to get creative and just grabbed some random pastries from the supermarket that vaguely resembled our national sweets. Was it close enough? Not really, but an attempt was made, and that’s all that matters.
However, a cheaper alternative I opted for in my first year was just painting a “səməni” on paper! This was a slight fire hazard, considering its close proximity to candles in the “xonça”, but with proper positioning and care, this should be okay.
I got luckier this year, and a friend brought me some fresh goodies straight from Azerbaijan, although I did improvise with a paper “səməni”.
If you’re feeling nostalgic for “paxlava”, “şəkərbura”, and “qoğal”, you’re in for a challenge, because trust me, I’ve searched high and low in Tartu with little success. However, these two spots in Tallinn have what you need: Xurcun Kitchen Tallinn and Azerbaijan Türgi pood. And of course, baking them yourself is always an option!
3) The Celebration Day: Embracing Traditions
Fire plays a central role in Novruz, symbolizing purification and the renewal of spirit. Traditionally, people jump over bonfires while chanting to leave behind the hardships of the past year. While a bonfire in your dorm room is definitely not advisable, here are some safe and legal spots in Tartu for lighting a fire:
-At the end of the swimming place of Emajõgi (Supilinn side)
-Luunja forest
-E. Wiiralti Street
-The park of Ropka
For the most up-to-date information, check out: https://tartu.ee/en/seasonal-information
Important: Always prioritize fire safety! Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby, and make sure to extinguish everything thoroughly before leaving.
And if you decide to gather with friends, keep in mind the quiet hours and avoid making too much noise late at night — let’s keep everyone happy!
image retrieved from: https://www.azernews.az/lifestyle/176735.html
4) Music: Setting the Mood
What’s Novruz without some homey tunes? Here’s a playlist to get you in the mood.
5) “Papaq Atmaq”: A Fun Tradition with a Twist
For those unfamiliar, “papaq atmaq” (which means, throwing hats) is a playful tradition where kids leave hats at neighbors’ doors, who then fill them with sweets. In Tartu, I’ve found it’s best to involve your friends beforehand, just to avoid any confusion about why there’s a random hat outside their door!
6) Kosa and Keçəl: A Dynamic Duo
The iconic duo of Kosa (the jolly, plump character) and Keçəl (the bald one) are central to Novruz celebrations, bringing humour and joy. Unfortunately, unless you have a tall skinny friend and a bald one on standby, these two might be a bit harder to incorporate. Honestly, the preparations for this should have started as soon as you entered university! (Just kidding — or am I?)
The Most Important Part: Being Together ♥️
Last but not least, the heart of Novruz is having people around you. Whether it’s fellow Azerbaijani students, other Turkic communities, or your Estonian friends, the joy of Novruz is meant to be shared. Keeping traditions alive abroad is vital, because if we don’t do it, no one else will.
Being far from home and family definitely dampens the spirit, but by coming together, we can create new, unique, and humorous memories. Embrace the moments, the laughter, and the warmth that this holiday brings, even if it’s in a small dorm room with a makeshift khoncha and a playlist on repeat.
Novruz is all about new beginnings, the energy of spring, and the hope for a brighter year ahead. No matter where you find yourself this year, may the spirit of Novruz bring light, warmth, and joy to your life.
Novruz Bayramınız Mübarək! (Happy Novruz!) 🌿🔥💧🌬️
Images author’s own unless otherwise noted
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