INFA ( International Novruz Festival in Azerbaijan)

   This project will give you a unique chance to experience different parts of NOVRUZ holiday, such as jumping over bonfires and running through the streets, banging on pots and pans with spoons and knocking on doors with your hats and bags to ask for little presents (sweets and candies) and tasting national cookeries, such as shekerbura, pakhlava, goghal that you have never had before! Another essential part of this festival is a chance to visit the capital of Azerbaijan Baku – the city of centuries – old history, ancient traditions and modern reality became known as “ Paris of the East”. And this is not all; lots of surprises are waiting for you...

Aims:

- To create a culturally diverse and open environment where all of the participants will be able to express their own culture and appreciate the others, discuss different global issues (e.g. ‘tolerance', ‘local traditions and globalization', ‘culture in the modern world', ‘music as a way of expression' etc.).
- Gain mutual respect for the different cultures in the world and promote peace in our big home – Earth.
- To explore ancient traditions and habits of Azerbaijan culture, to celebrate the antique holiday of Novruz – the beginning of spring in Azerbaijan .

Working language:

English

Profile of participants:

This event aims to bring together 60 motivated participants between the age of 18-30 who are interested in culture and ancient traditions.

Financial conditions:

There is a participation fee of 50 Euros . This fee covers the following costs:

- Accommodation and food throughout the whole week;
- Local transportation;
- Free entrance to the parties and other events

Travel expenses: Participants will be required to cover their travel expenses by themselves.

The programme of the event

DAY1 , 15.03.2010

 Arrival
18.00 – Ice-breaking, getting to know each other, expectations and fears
 20.00 – Dinner
 21.00 – Welcome party

DAY2 , 16.03.2010.

 8.30 – Breakfast
 9.30 – Information
10.00 – Press Conference
13.30 – Free time
14.00 – Lunch
15.00 – Azerbaijan presentation, AEGEE Baki Presentation
16.00 – Coffee break
16.30 – Azerbaijan Language course
18.00 – Dinner
19:00 – Treasure hunt
21.30 – Old city tour

DAY3 , 17.03.2010

 8.30 – Breakfast
 9.30 – Information
10:00 – Azerbaijan traditions and dances
12.15 – Coffee break
12.30 – Peace and security, religion
13.30 – Lunch
14.30 – Exploring diversity, tolerance
16.00 – Coffee break
16.30 – Gender equality
18.00 – Reflection
18.30 – Dinner
20.00 – Azerbaijan night

DAY4 , 18.03.2010

 8.30 -   Breakfast
 9.30 -   Information
10:00 -  Museum tour
13.00 -  Marakan, Ateshgah ( + lunch )
18.00 -  Kebab party
20.00 –  European night

DAY4 , 19.03.2010

 9.00  -  Shaki trip

DAY5 20.03.2010

 7.00 -  Breakfast in Shaki

 7.30 -  Departures from Shaki

13.00 – Back to Baku

13.30 – Novruz city tour ( + lunch )
16.00 – Free time
18.00 – INFA PARTY


DAY6 , 21.03.2010

 8.30 -  Breakfast
 9.30 -  Information
10.00 - Gobustan, Mud volcanoes ( + lunch )
17.00 - Back
18.30 - Home visits
23.30 – Back

DAY7, 22.03.2010

10.00 – Breakfast
11.00 – Final evaluation

12.00 -  Departures