Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, USA - The Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) celebrated Novruz 2022 in a big way at the Fiesta Ballroom in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey on Sunday, March 20, 2022.  The event was attended over 125 members of the ASA family. Joining Azerbaijani-Americans, the diverse group of guests included people of Italian, Turkish, Jewish, Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent.   Children carried flags of the various countries as all attendees happily welcomed Spring after a very harsh winter.

The masters of ceremonies were Shevrin Hossain and Maqsud Suleymanli, two inspiring young members of the ASA family. 

Novruz is a special holiday celebrating the first day of spring and the renewal of nature and promoting the values of peace and solidarity between generations. It contributes to cultural diversity and friendship among people of different communities. 

Xonca, a tray filled with special Novruz pastries, was created for each table and were prepared and presented by the bakers in the ASA membership. The trays included traditional sweets, baklavas, shekerbura, gogal, sheker chorek and mutekke. Colored eggs symbolizing the re-birth of nature and semeni (wheatgrass), symbolizing the revival of nature and abundance, completed the xoncas. 

It was announced that proceeds from the Novruz celebration will benefit ASA's Scholarship Fund.  Additional funds for the program were raised by a raffle which included gift baskets and a grand prize of a ticket on Turkish Airlines. With the generosity and support  of everyone we raised

considerable amount for the program.

The celebration of Novruz is the biggest holiday in Azerbaijan and is part of its culture, which places great emphasis on the importance of family, as they gather to wish for divine blessings and abundance in the coming year. 

From the ASA Family, we wish everyone happiness, success and good health in the new year.  Happy Novruz!