National holidays

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
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.

MILLIY BAYRAMLAR

O‘zbekistonda mustaqillikka qadar ko‘p asrlik xorijiy ta’sir o‘zining mehmondo‘stligi, bag‘rikengligi, hamjihatligi, o‘z baxtiga o‘zgalarni kutib olishga tayyorligi bilan ajralib turadigan noyob odamlar jamoasini shakllantirishga yordam berdi.
O'zbekistonda bayramlar dunyoviy va diniy, mahalliy va xalqaro, qadimiy va XX asrga oid marosimlarni o'z ichiga olgan qiziqarli bayramlardir. O‘zbekiston xalqi har safar sovg‘alar, qo‘lbola noz-ne’matlar, raqslar, bayram tantanalari bilan ko‘tariladi.
1 yanvar, Yangi yil
Yangi yil O'zbekiston taqvimidagi eng sevimli bayramlardan biridir. Tayyorgarlik dekabr oyining boshida boshlanganligi sababli, Yangi yil oldidan haftalar o'z-o'zidan juda bayramdir. Yangi yil archalari va yaltiroq gulchambarlar bilan o'zgartirilgan shahar ko'chalari o'yinchoqlar, sovg'alar, mazali taomlar va bir necha kunga yetadigan shirinliklar sotib olishga shoshilayotgan odamlar bilan to'la. Santa Klaus va uning nabirasi Qorqizni bayram mavsumi davomida restoranlar, do‘konlar va maydonlarda ko‘rish mumkin.
O‘zbekistonda Yangi yil oilaviy bayram bo‘lgani uchun ko‘pchilik Yangi yil kechasini uyda, oilasi va yaqinlari davrasida o‘tkazishni afzal ko‘radi. Shunga qaramay, dekabr oyining o'rtalaridan 13 yanvargacha Eski Yangi yil bayramlari do'stlar, hamkasblar va sinfdoshlar bilan odatda ko'ngilochar dastur, maxsus menyu va turli xil syurprizlarni o'z ichiga olgan yig'ilishlarda o'tkaziladi.
14-yanvar Vatan himoyachilari kuni (Erkaklar kuni)
1992-yil 14-yanvarda mustaqillikka erishgan O‘zbekiston Qurolli Kuchlarining tashkil etilishi hukumat tomonidan ushbu sanani Vatan himoyachilari kuni deb e’lon qilishga undadi.
O‘zbekistonda davlat bayramlari qatoriga kiritilmagan bo‘lsa-da, Vatan himoyachilari kuni muhim voqeadir. Mudofaa vazirligi, Ichki ishlar vazirligi, Milliy xavfsizlik xizmati va boshqa idoralar ishtirokida bayram tadbirlari shahar maydonlarida o‘tkazilib, u yerda hukumat tomonidan tabrik va mukofotlar topshiriladi.
Vatan himoyachilari kuni kasbiy harbiy bayram bo‘lishidan tashqari, O‘zbekistonda Erkaklar kuni sifatida keng nishonlanadi. Erkaklar oiladagi o‘rni va harbiy xizmatga hurmat va ehtirom ko‘rsatish sifatida uyda, maktabda va ish joyida sovg‘alar bilan tabriklanadi, maxsus taomlar tortiladi.