The Uzbek people love and know how to enjoy life, so various holidays, whether they are weddings, anniversaries or official events, are held on a large scale, with a huge crowd of people, under the incendiary music of national orchestras, with songs, dances, fun and of course an abundance of delicious Uzbek dishes.
Among the huge number of holidays, national and religious holidays should be singled out.
National holidays:
January 1 — New Year
January 14 – Day of defenders of the Native land
March 8 — Women’s Day
March 21 — Navruz (Central Asian New Year)
May 9 — Memorial Day
September 1 — Independence Day
October 1 — Teacher’s Day
December 8 — Constitution Day.
There are other religious holidays with varying dates:
Ramadan Khait
KurbanKhait
National holidays:
January 1 — New Year
The New Year’s Day for citizens of Uzbekistan is one of the most favorite and long-awaited holiday. This international holiday comes to every family and, of course, is widely and cheerfully celebrated in cities and throughout the country. And it is celebrated by everyone, from small to large, regardless of nationalities and traditions. The favorite of all kids and the symbol of the holiday, the green New-Year tree, appears on the main square of the capital, flashing with lights of garlands and balls.Leisure time for adults is not less interesting and various. At these days theaters show wonderful festive performances, cinemas, cafes, clubs and restaurants are crowded. In each family, fluffy Christmas trees are dressed up, and festive dastarkhans are covered. Folk festivals are organized. There are entertainment programs on TV all New Year’s eve.
January 14 – Day of defenders of the Native land
Day of defenders of the Native landday is a big public holiday, and is celebrated very widely and spectacularly.The parliament of the country on 14th January, 1992 has made a decision on transition of all parts and connections, military educational institutions and other military formations deployed in territory of the country, under jurisdiction of the Republic of Uzbekistan.So the beginning was necessary to creation of own Army forces. And on 29th December, 1993 January 14th has been declared by Day of defenders of the Native land.On this day, the main square of the country is lined up with soldiers in full parade to receive congratulations and awards from the country’s leadership. Representatives of the Ministry of defense, the Ministry of internal Affairs, the national security Service and other agencies participate in the celebration.
March 8 — Women’s Day
Historically, the Uzbek people have treated women with great care and respect. We are once again convinced and deeply we realize, concepts of Spring and the Woman as they supplement each other are how much harmonious. On this occasion, the country, as well as around the world, widely and solemnly celebrates March 8 – international Women’s Day. On this day men give flowers and presents to their mothers, wives and daughters with their best wishes. And also everyone considers it their duty to say kind words to them. Cities on this day seem to blossom, you can feel the beginning of spring in the country.
March 21 — Navruz
The most ancient national holiday Navruz (in translation with Persian Navruz designates «new day») which is celebrated on March, 21st, is considered the beginning of New Year. .Before Navruz, as in ancient times, they decorate houses today, clean up garbage on the street. On a holiday, people should visit your relatives and friends, go to the cemetery. Many Uzbek families prepare for national dishes such as Sumalak, Halim, Somsa from plant, Pilov and others. These dishes contain a lot of vitamin substances that are useful to the human body. Navruz is a vivid demonstration of the generosity and hospitality of the great Uzbek people. In the famous essay “Navruznoma”, presumably created by Omar Khayyam, there is a significant line: “Those who celebrate and have fun on the day of Navruz will spend their life joyfully until the next Navruz.” On September 30, 2009, Navruz was included by UNESCO in the Representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, from this time on March 21.
May 9 — Memorial Day
In 1999, the majestic Memory Square in the capital of Uzbekistan was opened on May 9, and since then, May 9 has been celebrated as a day of remembrance and honor. This day is very important for the elderly, because many lives were lost in the war against fascism. And Uzbekistan contributed to the victory over fascism. Thousands of Uzbekistanis worked in the rear, the Republic took in refugees, evacuated enterprises, and provided the front. During the Second World war, Uzbekistan lost more than 450 thousand of its sons. Their feat is immortalized in the Book of memory of heroes who did not return from the war, consisting of 34 volumes. And of course, on this day, people go to memorials, pantheons with eternal fire, monuments and lay flowers and honor the memory of heroes with a minute of silence. On the monument near the obelisk at the Eternal flame, the inscription is highlighted in gold letters: “You will always be in our hearts…”.
September 1 – Independence Day
The main national holiday of the Republic of Uzbekistan is Independence Day. On August 31, 1991, Uzbekistan was declared an independent state at the Extraordinary 7th session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tashkent. The statement of the Supreme Council on the state independence of the Republic was adopted, and the corresponding resolution approved September 1 as independence Day. The national holiday embodies all the dreams and expectations of the entire Uzbek people, which are based on the basic principles of friendliness, solidarity, charity, and mutual respect.
October 1 — Teacher’s Day
For a long time in the East, deep respect has always been shown to wise aksakals. Today we call them mentors, teachers. This holiday is dedicated to all those who have invested their knowledge and skills in us, helped us with advice and life experience. This holiday has been celebrated in Uzbekistan since 1997. in accordance with the decree of President I. Karimov of December 27, 1996, as a national holiday. On this day, students gratefully give flowers and gifts, make a sincere recognition for their hard work in life.
December 8 – Constitution Day
Having declared their country’s Independence, its inhabitants realize themselves as full citizens only after the adoption of the Constitution. This state act was so important and significant for the Uzbek people that December 8, the day of the Constitution adopted in 1992, became an annual national holiday. This holiday is a day off. Various events dedicated to the Constitution day are held throughout Uzbekistan. The streets are decorated with flags and, even though the winter has come according to the calendar, are full of citizens who are looking forward to a series of festive events timed to this wonderful date in the capital: concerts of pop stars, exhibitions, sports events, all kinds of shows.
Religious holidays:
Ramadan Hait (Iyd-al-Fitr)
In Uzbekistan, every year since 1992, two Muslim holidays – Ramadan Hait and KurbanHait-are declared days off.
Ruza Hayit coincides with 9-th month (Hidjriy) on a Muslim calendar. The holiday begins after the end of the fast “Eid”, a religious rite that lasts 30 days and is considered a rite of spiritual and moral purification. From sunrise to sunset, fasters should not take food or water, and they should avoid bad thoughts. treat others with respect and do good. Fasting is mandatory for every Muslim, helps them strengthen their faith and teaches self-discipline. Only seriously ill people, children and people who are on the road at this time are not allowed to observe the fast. After performing this rite on the last day, the holiday begins, which lasts for three days-Ramadan Hait. The first day of Ramadan Hait is not considered a working day.
Qurbon Hayit (Iyd-al-Adha)
Religious holiday QurbonHayit this is the one of the greatest festivals in the world, which is celebrated by Muslims. It is celebrated 70 days after the end of another major holiday – Ramadan Hait. Since 1991, the religious holiday of KurbanHait in Uzbekistan has been declared a day off and is widely celebrated in the country.
This holiday originates from the legend of the prophet Ibrahim, who was ready to sacrifice his son to prove his faith. According to the legend, Allah appeared to him and told him that his faith knows no bounds. Since then, this day is a day of sacrifice.
There is a variety of yearly festivals held in Uzbekistan, too. They are very popular with the people and treated as holidays. One of them is the folk festival “Boysun Bakhori” (“Boisun’s Spring”), which is held in the mountainous Boysun District, Surkhandarya Province. The way of life of many generations has remained almost unchanged in this area. Each family preserves and passes down from generation to generation the standards of home arrangement, old rituals, traditions and customs that date back to the age of the pre-Muslim pagan culture. In Boysun ritual songs and dances, performances of the akyn narrators of folk tales and legends continue to live their natural life, not as a theatrical performance for tourists. AlpamyshIt is here that a thousand years ago akyn narrators composed the heroic epic “Alpamysh”. The people of Boysun consider themselves to be the descendants of the legendary Alpamysh. They tell stories about him and his deeds relevant to surrounding gorges and villages. Thus it is no wonder that along with 19 other regions in the world, in 2001 Boysun District was included in the UNESCO List of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. Every year the participants of ‘Boysun’s Spring’ come from scores of countries. The festival attracts a lot of professional and amateur folklorists. During the festival one can travel in time and learn the ancient secrets of fire-worshippers’ rituals and shaman cults, make acquaintance with the life of the distinctive region where culture and traditions of ancient peoples have been well preserved.
The international musical festival “Shark Taronalari” has become very popular and prestigious. For the first time it was held in Samarkand in 1997 on the initiative of Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan’s President. The venue of the festival was not a random choice at all: they took into account the fact that Samarkand – as an ancient center of the Great Silk Road and a depositary of the cultural heritage of the Uzbeks – is of great significance not only to Central Asia but to the countries to the east and west. The first festival was a success beyond expectations. Folk music performers from 29 countries took part in it. The fifth festival held in August 2005 attracted a record number of participants and visitors from over 50 countries. Unforgettable were the performances of the throat singing band “Uran Khai” from the Republic of Tuva, (Altay, Russian Federation), the folk singer Simara Imanova from Azerbaijan, Chinese and Indian musicians. Everybody was deeply impressed by the Uzbek performers of the ancient national musical genre makom.