Authorities in Azerbaijan’s second largest city of Ganca have started a campaign to plant 52,000 trees to mark President Ilham Aliyev’s 52nd birthday. The first tree was planted today by Mayor Elmar Valiyev, according to Qaynar.info news website. The campaign will continue until Dec. 30.President Aliyev was born in Baku on Dec. 24 1961. The former mayor of Ganca, Eldar Azizov, now the mayor of Sumqayit, started the tradition of cooking long paxlavas (baklava) or cakes to celebrate Aliyev’s birthday. A 51-meter cake was cooked in Sumqayit last year.

The president himself is known for his modesty. He marked his 50th birthday together with refugees in Agcabadi District and plans to celebrate his 52nd birthday with IDPs from Kalbacar District currently settled in Ganca.

ANN.Az