Independence Day of Uzbekistan national holiday of the Republic

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Independence Day of Uzbekistan – national holiday of the Republic

Independence Day of Uzbekistan, held on September 1, is the main national holiday and the official day off.

The Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was declared in September 1, 1991 after a special session of the Supreme Council of the Republic.

In each region in Uzbekistan, a festive program is written in honor of the Independence Day. These are the performances of original folklore groups and sports battles, and variety shows, and noisy fairs of folk craftsmen. And, of course, what a holiday without food! Festive pilaf on this day is the central dish of any dastarkhan (table), followed by family, colleagues, neighbors and friends. In various districts of the country in honor of the Uzbekistan Independence Day, special exhibitions on the history, culture of the country and flower festivals are opened.

In Tashkent the celebration is prepared in advance, because the festive show is so spectacular and large that it is simply breathtaking. It involves hundreds of extras, musicians, dance groups, the brightest stars of the stage and cinema. And in the evening in honor of the 1st of September - Independence Day of Uzbekistan a grandiose festive salute flies over the square.

One of the places for the occasion of the Independence Day of Uzbekistan is also the National Park in Tashkent named after Alisher Navoi. There are festive parades and events; concerts and performances of local stars are organized.

As the observance of the Independence Day of Uzbekistan falls on September 1, you can behold a lot of foreign visitors traveling around Uzbekistan. From this, the mood of all that is going on becomes even more rosy and bright. After all, the people of Uzbekistan are eager to share their wonderful mood with the guests of the country.

The Independence Day, realizing the embodiment of the century-old dream of ancestors, freedom and prosperity of the Uzbek land, unlimited possibilities and prospects of people, is glorified in the history of Uzbekistan as the greatest date.

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Public holidays in Uzbekistan.

In Uzbekistan, centuries of foreign influence prior to independence helped to form a unique community of people who are distinguished by their hospitality, tolerance, close-knit society and readiness to welcome others into their happiness.

Holidays in Uzbekistan are fun celebrations that include both secular and religious, local and international, ancient and 20th-century observances. With great exuberance, the people of Uzbekistan rise to each occasion with gifts, homemade treats, dancing and festive gatherings.

January 1st, New Year

New Year is one of the most beloved holidays on the Uzbekistan calendar. As preparations begin in early December, the weeks leading up to the New Year are very celebratory in themselves. City streets, transformed by New Year trees and glittering garlands, are filled with people rushing to buy toys, gifts, savory delicacies and enough sweets to last for days. Santa Claus and his granddaughter Snow Maiden can be seen at restaurants, shops and plazas throughout the holiday season.

As New Year is a family holiday in Uzbekistan, most people prefer to spend New Year's Eve at home with their family and relatives. Yet from mid-December until the Old New Year on January 13, celebrations are held with friends, colleagues and classmates in gatherings which typically include an entertainment program, special menu and various surprises. 

January 14, Homeland Defenders’ Day (Men’s Day)

On January 14, 1992, the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan were organized under the newly independent state, prompting the government to declare this date as Homeland Defenders’ Day.

Although not counted among public holidays in Uzbekistan, Homeland Defenders’ Day is a significant event. Celebrations involving the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior, National Security Service and other agencies are held in city plazas, where congratulations and awards are issued by the government.

In addition to being a professional military holiday, Homeland Defenders’ Day is widely observed as Men’s Day in Uzbekistan. At home, school and the workplace, men are congratulated with gifts and treated to special meals as a show of respect and admiration for their role in the family and their military service. 

March 8, International Women's Day

International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8th, coincides with the first awakenings of spring. The holiday has long been synonymous with beauty and femininity and is a day to shower women with special attention, flowers and gifts. Jewelry, perfumes, chocolates, cakes and the like disappear from store shelves in Uzbekistan as women are honored in ever sphere of society. Special meals are prepared and toasts, poems and songs are recited in honor of the female gender, with both professional and small-scale performances held throughout the country. Although in many ways the 8th of March serves as the equivalent of Mother’s Day in Uzbekistan, its scope is broader and includes recognition of all wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, girlfriends and female classmates. 

March 21, Navruz Holiday

Navruz (Nowruz) is without dispute the most colorful holiday in Uzbekistan. Its history dates back three thousand years and is rooted in the ancient cult of sun worship and Zoroastrianism, which were once widespread in Persia and Central Asia. Today it is associated with the rebirth of nature, new life, joy and kindness.

Celebrations often last 2-3 days and involve folk festivals, lavishly decorated streets, traditional sports competitions, home visitations and joyous hospitality. Many believe that forgiving your enemies, living peaceably and helping the needy during this season will bring good luck to the coming year. Traditionally, seven special dishes are served as a further symbol of fortune for the months to follow.

The most popular Navruz dish in Uzbekistan is sumalak, a taffy-like treat prepared from sprouted wheat and flour. Although customarily cooked the night before Navruz, it can be made any time in early spring. The tedious process of stirring the huge cauldron of ingredients nonstop unites friends, relatives and neighbors in a joyful gathering punctuated with music, laughter and fun. 

May 9, Memorial Day

Memorial Day, observed in honor of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in World War II, is an important national holiday in Uzbekistan. Hundreds of thousands of Uzbek men fought on the front lines, while women and the elderly toiled at home. The Uzbek SSR also welcomed many refugees to the land during these difficult years.

Uzbekistan lost more than 450,000 citizens during the war. On May 9, residents of Uzbekistan join with millions of people from the former Soviet Union in congratulating war veterans on their bravery and in laying flowers at memorials and monuments. At the Walk of Fame and Remembrance in Tashkent’s Mustakillik Square, the name of every Uzbek who perished in World War II is carved on granite steles. Nearby, a bronze statue of a mourning mother stands as a symbol for the collective grief of Uzbekistan during the war.

October 1, Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day

True to its name, Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day in Uzbekistan is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have impacted lives through education. Like all Uzbekistan holidays, it reflects an important cultural value, for the people of Uzbekistan have long held a special respect for educators: it is not unusual for teachers to be invited to a family wedding or celebration, where they are shown special honor, and students will sometimes stay in contact with a beloved teacher even after they have grown and are raising children and grandchildren of their own.