Azerbaijan Flag Day: History, Meaning and Day Off
Azerbaijan marks National Flag Day on 9 November, the date the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adopted the country’s tricolour in 1918.[2] The Labour Code lists it as a day off and connects the holiday to a flag that represents Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and national history.[1][3]
An Azerbaijani date with a history
The holiday is tied to a specific moment in Azerbaijan’s history: the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adopted the tricolour at a meeting in Baku on 9 November 1918. It remained the republic’s national flag until the republic fell in 1920.[2][3]
The flag returned as a state symbol during the independence movement. Nakhchivan adopted it in November 1990, and Azerbaijan’s Supreme Council recognized it as the national flag on 5 February 1991. A 2009 presidential order established 9 November as National Flag Day.[2][3]
What the flag represents
The flag has three equal horizontal bands: blue above red, then green. A white crescent and an eight-pointed star sit in the centre of the red band. The President’s official explanation associates blue with Azerbaijani people’s Turkic origin, red with building a modern society and developing democracy, and green with belonging to Islamic civilization.[3]
The Constitution identifies the national flag as one of Azerbaijan’s state symbols and requires citizens to respect state symbols. The holiday therefore honours an emblem with both constitutional status and a history linked to the country’s first republic and restored independence.[3]
Ceremonies and observances
Azerbaijan’s official rules provide for the national anthem to be performed at the opening and closing of solemn events dedicated to national holidays. They also allow state bodies and other listed organizations to hold solemn events involving the raising or display of the national flag.[3]
Those rules describe how official ceremonies may use the anthem and flag; they do not set out a particular annual Flag Day programme, customary food, or region-specific practice. Check official local notices for details of any public events.[3]
The day off and practical planning
Article 105 of Azerbaijan’s Labour Code lists National Flag Day among the days off. It says employees generally may not be required to work on those days, except in circumstances provided for by the Code.[1]
When a weekly rest day coincides with a non-working holiday, the Code provides for the rest day to move to the next working day after the holiday. The working schedule determines which day that is; check the official annual calendar for the applicable arrangement.[1]
Travellers should check directly with the bank, shop or transport operator they plan to use.
Frequently asked questions
When is Azerbaijan Flag Day?
It is observed every year on 9 November, the anniversary of the 1918 adoption of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic’s flag.[2]
Is Flag Day a day off?
Yes. The Labour Code lists National Flag Day as a day off, with work allowed only in exceptions set out in the Code.[1]
What happens if 9 November falls on a weekly rest day?
The Labour Code says the rest day is transferred to the next working day after the holiday. The applicable annual calendar sets out the schedule for that year.[1]
Are banks, shops, and public transport open?
Check with the relevant bank, shop or transport operator before you go.
Sources and references
Sources used for Flag Day in Azerbaijan:
- Holidays- Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Holidays- Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic
- State Symbols- Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic