International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis

International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis, observed on December 31, celebrates the shared identity, heritage, and unity of Azerbaijanis around the world. It is a day for people connected to Azerbaijan—whether at home or in communities abroad—to honor their cultural roots and strengthen the bonds that link them across borders.

The observance also highlights the importance of preserving the Azerbaijani language, traditions, music, and history while fostering friendship and mutual support within the global Azerbaijani community. Families and communities may mark December 31 with cultural gatherings, reflections on their heritage, and warm wishes for peace, unity, and a hopeful year ahead.

International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis is observed annually on **December 31**. Its origins are closely associated with events in Nakhchivan at the end of 1989, when Azerbaijanis gathered near the Soviet-Iranian border and challenged the barriers that had separated communities on opposite sides of the frontier for decades. These demonstrations expressed a desire for cultural and familial connection among Azerbaijanis living in Azerbaijan, Iran, and other parts of the world.

The observance developed during a period of major political change in the Soviet Union. In Nakhchivan, Heydar Aliyev, then chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, supported recognizing the significance of the border demonstrations and the broader idea of national unity. In December 1991, Azerbaijan’s national legislature formally established December 31 as International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis, giving an official character to a movement that had begun as a public expression of shared identity.

Over time, the day expanded beyond its original political context. It became an occasion to recognize the contributions of Azerbaijanis living abroad and to encourage cultural, linguistic, and social ties among Azerbaijani communities worldwide. Organizations and cultural institutions commonly mark December 31 with public gatherings, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, and messages emphasizing solidarity and the preservation of Azerbaijani heritage.

The observance also has a distinctive place in Azerbaijan’s calendar because it coincides with New Year’s Eve. While New Year celebrations are associated with the closing of the year, International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis focuses on collective identity and links among communities separated by national borders. For Azerbaijanis at home and in the diaspora, December 31 therefore serves both as a festive date and as a reminder of shared history, culture, and belonging.