Azerbaijani embassy in Washington plants white rose of peace to mark Novruz PHOTO

A symbolic white rose planting ceremony was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Washington to mark the Novruz holiday, bringing together diplomats and representatives of the agricultural community.

The event was attended by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United States, Khazar Ibrahim; Heidi Kühn, founder of Roots of Peace and recipient of the 2023 World Food Prize; as well as agricultural attachés accredited in Washington, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ibrahim said Novruz symbolises the arrival of spring and renewal. He linked the holiday’s themes to ongoing restoration and reconstruction efforts in territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, describing them as part of a broader process of revival in the region. He highlighted the far-sighted policy of Heydar Aliyev in laying the foundations for regional peace, as well as the political will and leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in advancing these efforts. According to the ambassador, Azerbaijan intends to continue pursuing policies aimed at promoting sustainable peace and development both regionally and globally.

He also underscored the importance of initiatives to repurpose demined land for agricultural use, referring to efforts promoted by Kühn to strengthen peace through farming.

Kühn noted that 2026 has been designated the International Year of Women Farmers and said she has worked for many years to rehabilitate conflict-affected areas through agriculture. She highlighted her initiative, Pax Agricultura, and stressed that demining is a prerequisite for the effective reuse of formerly contested territories.

She said she had visited minefields in the Karabakh region, including observing the work of female deminers from the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). Kühn described the demining process in the liberated territories as critically important and called for greater international support for such efforts.

During the ceremony, Kühn displayed a spade made by ANAMA from the remains of defused mines and presented to her during a visit to the Fuzuli district. She then used the spade to plant a white rose in the embassy courtyard as a symbol of peace. Kühn said she hopes that the lands of Karabakh will one day be fully cleared of mines and planted with white roses.

Participants were also introduced to Azerbaijani Novruz traditions and were offered traditional sweets and tea as part of the reception.

By Sabina Mammadli