Holidays of uzbekistan

The New Year’s Day in Uzbekistan comes into every family

The New Year’s Day for citizens of Uzbekistan is one of the most favorite and long-awaited holiday. As a rule, at these magic days everyone expects a heavy snowfall which is not always happened in this dry region. But if on the New Year’s Day everything is covered with flurry snow, you may consider that holiday is the most possible: with crispy snow, pine fragrance, spicy smell of aspic, stood on the frost, making snowman and sledging...
This large international holiday comes into every family and of course is widely celebrated on national basis. 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. Young people gather here to hear the magical midnight striking of Tashkent chiming clock. And next days the square becomes the main center of public festivities. Especially kids enjoy, because here they are waiting for a Grandfather Frost and Snow Maiden, as well as many other characters of favorite books and cartoons. Another children's entertainment center is a square near the city circus, where the plenty of rides, tents with toys and sweets are set, clowns and acrobats amuse kids.
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. Every public house tries to excel with its original show program: performances of pop stars, funny contests and raffles, and certainly an outstanding New-Year disco party.

Day of Defenders of the Motherland - a holiday of real men

All men of Uzbekistan are celebrated on this day. Because initially every man is the defender of his honor, home and Motherland…
But particularly warm words sound at this holiday about military men, for whom the 14th of January (the day, when Armed Forces of Uzbekistan were established) is the professional holiday. The Day of defenders of Motherland is the great state holiday and it is observed in broad and spectacular way. This day the ranks of military men in full dress are lined up on the main square of the country in order to accept congratulations and awards from the leader of the country.
The representatives of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Security Service and other institutions participate in this ceremony. The moment, when the marching of all force divisions begins along the square to the sound of military orchestra, is particularly colorful. Participants of the parade also lay the wreaths to the monument of Independence
Navruz in Uzbekistan: Feast of the Renewal of Nature
A sk any Uzbek people, whether old or young, about the dearest and most favorite holiday. And as often as not you will get the answer “Navruz”. What kind of holiday is it? And why it is so favorite by everyone, either residents or guests of the country. 
First of all, it must be for its wisdom that has come to our days from the depth of the centuries. Because history of this holiday goes deep into the ancient history of humanity, to the times when the farming and cults related to it appeared.
The birthplace of Navruz is Khorasan (north-east of Iran) and it is more than 3000 years, with the time it has spread to the neighboring states of the West Asia and Central Asia. And the holiday did not appear just because, but exclusively according to the rules of nature.
On this very day, 21 March, when daytime and night are equal, a new solar cycle begins as well as a new astronomical year; thus, consequently the law of renewal enters its strength. That is why Navruz for Turkic and Iranian people is the same as the New Year for western part of the world. Later, during the Akhemenids (6-4 centuries B.C.), Navruz received an official status shifting from a farming ritual to a Zoroastrian holiday and was tied to a cult of Sun and Zaratustra. Today Navruz is a national holiday and one of the main Uzbek national traditions, and it is full of ancient unique rituals and beautiful customs like in ancient times. 

The main mystery happens on the night of March 21. It is time for preparation of the main ceremonial meal from germinated wheat: sumalak. The whole mahalla, mostly women, gather near the huge pot: sit in a circle, sing songs, have fun, each of them waits for their turn to stir the sumalak. In the morning still warm sumalak is handed out to neighbors, relatives and friends. Tasting the sumalak it is necessary to make a wish, which, the locals say, will come true.

Navruz generally is very tightly connected with new hopes and expectations. Therefore, on this day it is used to forgive even the worst enemies, not to quarrel, to help weak and poor people. People believe that all of this will lure the success in your house.

Another good sign of the holiday is to entertain. Hostesses fry special patties with greenery, cook nishalda, a sweet dessert made of egg whites, whipped with sugar and scented roots of herbs, bake puff samsa, the fragrant pilaf is steamed in pots... So on March 21 the table is plentifully served with delicious meals. Abundance is also a good sign. In each house guests are awaited today: people accept guests and pay visits. It is hard to stay at home on Navruz! Folk festivals in the villages are especially interesting where traditional sport competition kupkari, wrestling of dzhigits, equestrian competitions are arranged, as well as folk fairs, where you can buy everything from souvenirs to national baked foods.