As the heart of pomegranate production, the central Goychay Region serves as the backdrop for one of Azerbaijan’s most enchanting fairs—the Azerbaijan Pomegranate Festival. This vibrant celebration honors the healthful and succulent pomegranate, highlighting its significant role in Azerbaijani life and culture.
In Azerbaijan, pomegranates, known as nar, are revered as the “king of fruits,” rich with symbolism. Representing love and fertility, they inspire countless songs and poems, and their distinctive shape is often reflected in traditional carpet designs and wall art. The skin of the pomegranate is even utilized as a dye in carpet weaving, while the fruit itself is a staple in national cuisine.
Thanks to Goychay’s unique microclimate and fertile soil, the region boasts over 67 varieties of pomegranates. Since its inception in 2006, the Azerbaijan Pomegranate Festival, or Nar Bayrami, has become a hallmark event, enhancing Goychay’s cultural and tourism appeal. The festival takes place annually during the pomegranate harvest season in October or November, with the exact date determined each year to align with the harvest.
In preparation for the festival, Goychay residents engage in a flurry of activity, repairing city streets, painting fences along main thoroughfares, and adorning the central square with festive decorations. The Goychay Pomegranate Festival offers an array of entertainment, including traditional concerts, cultural performances, lively dances, and even a magic show. Guests can participate in themed games, such as a pomegranate-eating contest and a juice-squeezing competition, culminating in a grand concert and a spectacular fireworks display.
No celebration of pomegranates would be complete without a bounty of this delicious fruit in every conceivable variety. Local farmers take pride in their ability to distinguish between different types, with popular varieties including Veles, Shirin, Gyuleysha, and Shishbaba.
The Azerbaijan Pomegranate Festival is also an ideal venue for picking up unique souvenirs from your visit. Attendees can browse for gifts such as ceramic pomegranates, pomegranate wine, narsharab (a sweet sauce), jams, and other handcrafted pomegranate-themed products. Additionally, festival-goers can savor local dishes and enjoy nardancha, a delectable sauce crafted from pomegranate seeds.
In 2020, UNESCO recognized the Azerbaijan Pomegranate Festival in Goychay by including it on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Join in the festivities, immerse yourself in the beauty of Goychay, and indulge in the delightful flavors of their renowned pomegranates!