Today we are celebrating Novruz, the awakening of Earth, the beginning of Spring.
Novruz has been celebrated by diverse communities, in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea basin and the Balkans for centuries. All Novruz traditions are rooted in Zoroastrianism, that has left a deep mark in the history of Azerbaijan.
Usually preparations for Novruz begin a month prior to the festival. Each 4 weeks devoted to one of 4 elements- water, fire, earth and wind.
The most cheerful and log-awaited holiday, and the best month of the year when we cook, share, do spring cleaning, plant trees, gather around the holiday table with family and friends, visit each other, take gifts, make beautiful clothes, jump over bonfire.
And of course no table is complete without our traditional Azerbaijani sweets - Shekerbura. It takes lots of patience and love to make these pastries. I decorated Shekerbura using special tweezers called Maggash. One pinch at the time. More than 100 pinches for each Shekerbura. The recipe itself traditionally passes from generation to generation, and each family adds its own special touch.
Happy Novruz my friends!
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