Goychay Pomegranate Festival

Goychay Pomegranate Festival was held for the first time on 3 November 2006 jointly by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Executive Power of Goychay District. Indeed, starting from 2006, the festival have been held annually in every autumn (mainly in Octaber) displaying original dishes from different varieties of pomegranate. 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.

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.[3] 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.[4]

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. 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.

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  Pomegranate
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  Goychay (city), 2011 year. One of the prepared stands at the Pomegranate Festival.
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  Goychay (city), 2011 year. Women in national costumes are making lavash.
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  Goychay (city), 2011 year. Acrobat's performance at the Pomegranate Festival.

• "Nar Bayrami, traditional pomegranate festivity and culture". ich.unesco.org. UNESCO. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
• "Dive into the atmosphere of Pomegranate Festival with Four Seasons Hotel Baku". press.fourseasons.com. Four Seasons. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
• "The Pomegranate Festival". aznar.az. Retrieved December 20, 2020.

• Quba Apple Festival
• Pomegranate Producers and Exporters Association of Azerbaijan

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