Azerbaijan Republic Day 2027

When

28 May 2027

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Where

Azerbaijan

AzerbaijanAzerbaijan

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About the event

But its memory was preserved through the independence movement of the late Soviet period, and when the USSR collapsed, 28 May was adopted as Republic Day to honour the first republic and affirm the continuity of Azerbaijani statehood.

Baku's iconic towers display the national flag and fireworks animations on Republic Day.

Why this day

On 28 May 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed in Tiflis (now Tbilisi), making Azerbaijan the first democratic republic in the Muslim world and in the entire former Russian Empire. The republic introduced universal suffrage — including for women — at a time when most European countries still denied women the vote.

The republic survived only 23 months before being occupied by the Soviet Red Army in April 1920. But its memory was preserved through the independence movement of the late Soviet period, and when the USSR collapsed, 28 May was adopted as Republic Day to honour the first republic and affirm the continuity of Azerbaijani statehood.

Republic Day is marked in Baku with a military parade along Neftchilar Avenue, concerts at the Flame Towers plaza and fireworks over the Caspian Sea. The day emphasises Azerbaijan's identity as a modern, secular state with deep historical roots in democratic governance.

Timeline
  • 1918Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed — first democratic republic in the Muslim world
  • 1920Soviet takeover — independence suppressed for 70 years
  • 1991Independence restored after dissolution of the Soviet Union
Key figures
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed — first democratic republic in the Muslim world1918
Stay for the event

Check-in 27 May, check-out 29 May 2027 — 2 nights around 28 May 2027. Change the dates to stay longer.

AREA

Find stays in Baku
Getting there
  • Celebratednationwide
  • CapitalBaku
  • Time zoneAZT (UTC+4)
Host country
  • Currency: Azerbaijani manat
  • Language: Azerbaijani
  • Driving: on the right
  • Capital: Baku
  • Phone: +994
  • Emergency: 112
  • Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz, plugs C/F
What to eat
Plov

Saffron rice cooked with lamb, dried fruit, chestnuts and herbs — the king of Azerbaijani cuisine.

Dolma

Vine leaves stuffed with spiced minced lamb and rice, served with drained yogurt.

Kebab

Lamb kebabs grilled over charcoal — every region has its own variety of tika or lula kebab.

Dushbara

Tiny lamb dumplings simmered in a clear broth with mint and saffron.

Pakhlava

Diamond-shaped baklava layered with walnuts and spiced with cardamom and saffron.

Kutab

Thin filled pancakes stuffed with greens, meat or pumpkin — cooked on a convex iron griddle.

What to drink
Ayran

Chilled salted yogurt drink — served with meals throughout Azerbaijan.

Şirvan wine

Wine from the Şamaxı and Quba regions of northern Azerbaijan.

Black tea

Azerbaijanis drink black tea from pear-shaped armudu glasses with jam stirred in — all day long.

Culture & traditions
Flame Towers light show

Baku's iconic towers display the national flag and fireworks animations on Republic Day.

Mugham music

UNESCO-listed Azerbaijani classical music — improvised and emotionally intense, performed at national events.

Carpet weaving

Azerbaijan's carpet tradition is among the world's oldest — regional patterns are still woven in Shirvan and Karabakh.

Old City Baku

The UNESCO-listed walled city of İçərişəhər fills with visitors on national holidays.

Coming years

Azerbaijan Republic Day 2028

  • Sunday 28 May 2028Next event date

Azerbaijan Republic Day 2029

  • Monday 28 May 2029Event date

Azerbaijan Republic Day 2030

  • Tuesday 28 May 2030Event date