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

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. Read more...