Goychay Pomegranate Festival

Pomegranate fruit, opened

Pomegranate Festival is an annual cultural festival that is held in Goychay, Azerbaijan. The festival features Azerbaijani fruit-cuisine mainly the pomegranates from Goychay. At the festival, a parade is held with traditional Azerbaijani dances and Azerbaijani music.[1]

There are also several competitions such as; the biggest pomegranate or pomegranate eating competition.

Some 5,000-7,000 people visit the festival annually and enjoy the sights. Pomegranate Festival usually takes place in October.

History

Goychay Pomegranate Festival was held for the first time on 3 November 2006 jointly by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Executive Authority of the Goychay Region. Indeed, starting from 2006, the festival have been held annually in every autumn (mainly in Octaber) displaying original dishes from different varieties of pomegranate.[2][3] In fact, the spectators and participants of the festival expand each year. In 2013, Representatives from approximately 20 foreign countries participated in the event along with the state and government officials.[2]

Concept

Goychay is considered the pomegranate capital of Azerbaijan because many varieties of pomegranates are grown in the city. The most famous sorts of pomegranate are Veles, Shirin, Gyuleysha and Shihbaba. Therefore, the city has been chosen as the location for the festival. The festival features a fair and an exhibition that displays different varieties of pomegranates as well as various pomegranate products produced by local enterprises. During the festival national music such as mugham and different folklore examples are presented every year. Participants of the event are familiarized with the exhibition of hand-made products from the residents of the region.  The pomegranates that grown in separate villages of Goychay region and the products that made of pomegranate like juice, juice concentrates, jam, jelly, grenadine, wine, seeds in syrup are brought to the district center and displayed at the exhibition organized at the city square. The festival also includes young athletes’ performances and concert programs that are available to watch in the city center. The guests can see various the craftsmen, master craftsmen, potters, millers, blacksmiths, artists and dancers, athletes and performances of folklore groups, as well children's drawings, paintings, music, songs and dances.[3][4]

Activities within the festival

The activities within the festival changed over years and gained more spectators and participators. Types of events in the festival include ceremonies, competitions, dancing events, fairs, parades, performances, etc. For example, the 10th festival of the pomegranate opened with the participation of music and dance groups.2. The competitions at the festival such as the fastest eating of pomegranates, the ability to squeeze pomegranate juice, and the biggest pomegranate are held annually. In 12th festival of the pomegranate the contest "the most beautiful pomegranate girl" was held.[5]

See also

Quba Apple Festival

References

  1. ↑ iguide.travel Goychay Activities: Pomegranate Festival
  2. 1 2 "Göyçayda nar bayramı keçirilib".
  3. 1 2 "Goychay Pomegranate Festival celebrates its anniversary (2015)".
  4. ↑ "The Pomegranate Festival in Goychay (2016)".
  5. ↑ "Göyçayda XII Nar festivalı başlayıb".


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