Holidays and holidays
January 1st – New Year’s Day
14 January – Day of the defenders of the Fatherland
8 January – International Women’s Day
21 March – Navrouz (New Year in Central Asia)
May 9 – Memorial and Honorary Day
September 1st – Independence Day
October 1st – Teachers’ Day
December 8 – Constitution Day
January 1st – New Year’s Day
New Year – the celebration is celebrated all over the world. In Uzbekistan, as in many other countries, this festival is celebrated as a family. During the New Year, the Uzbeks meet with friends and relatives around a festive table and offer gifts. The symbol of this holiday is Santa Claus, Snow White and the fir tree. In Uzbekistan, the name of Santa Claus is Korbobo ( “kor” in Uzbek – snow, “bobo” – grandfather), and Snow White – Korqiz ( “qiz” – a girl). The eve and the day of the festival itself, all the great places in Uzbekistan are decorated with fir trees. People go out to the parks with their children to celebrate the feast.
14 January – National Day of Defenders of the Homeland
This day is not a holiday in the country. On 14 January 1992, by decision of the Uzbek parliament, all units and formations, military schools and other military units stationed in the country were moved under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This was the beginning of the creation of our own armed forces. 14 January was declared in Uzbekistan as the Day of the defenders of the Fatherland. Traditionally this day, the national anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan is sung in the main square (Independence Square) accompanied by a military orchestra marching solemnly on the spot. The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces also congratulates all the defenders of the homeland.
8 March – International Women’s Day
In Uzbekistan, March 8 – International Women’s Day is celebrated. March 8 is a public holiday in the country. That day, men say kind words to their grandmothers, mothers, wives, daughters, friends. They give them flowers and gifts. This is the first spring festival.
March 21 – Navrouz
From the earliest period to the beginning of spring, the Uzbeks celebrate Navrouz, in other words, the New Year. The universal symbol of rebirth, Navrouz coincides with the equinox of 21 March. He signs the beginning of the new year.
That day the day is equal to the night. Naturese wakes up the spring equinox day. On March 21 winter comes to an end, the Earth and nature awaken. It is the day of the fecundity of nature, the day of the glory of life over the darkness. The Uzbeks have preserved their pre – Islamic festival of Spring and New Year – Navrouz (from Persian “the new day”.
This feast remains of Zoroastrianism. The Navrouz was celebrated under the era of the Achaemenid Empire in the years 648-330 BC. Today the Navrouz is celebrated widely as the beginning of the New Year. It is a great public feast in Uzbekistan.
The traditions of celebration of Navrouz have not changed for many centuries. We prepare for the party long before: we clean houses, streets and streets, we must wash all the clothes available in the house, we pay the debts. All preparatory things: cooking of the festive dishes, cleaning of the habitat and decoration of the houses of green and flowering branches of the trees, must finish on the eve of the festival, before the rising of the Sun. The most important day of the Party is the first day – March 21st. That day it covers the festive table and offers to all the acquaintances, neighbors and passers-by the dishes “of the new year”. The main dishes of Navrouz are – khalissa and soumalak. They are prepared only once a year – in honor of the Navrouz. The khalissa is prepared from four varieties of cereals by adding cut meat, all the ingredients are cooked to homogeneity. The men are busy preparing the khalissa. Spralak is prepared from sprouted grains of wheat and flour. We start cooking these complicated dishes on the eve of the party. All the women of the large family, of the commune or the neighbors in the buildings of several storeys are grouped around the large cauldrons and all night, in turn stir the dish to prevent it from being burned. Cauldron a handful of small pebbles and nuts to avoid burning the ritual dish. These pebbles and nuts are considered as carriers of luck. According to the belief the one who will find a pebble or a nut “of luck” in his dish will have all New Year’s Success. As the preparation of these dishes requires a lot of time and a lot of physical effort, we sing and dance next to the fire. And in the morning each participant will take home his share of the dish of the common cauldron.
In honor of Navrouz we decorate the table of feast of dishes and products symbolizing the rebirth and the new life. Sertle pilaf, shourpa (shepherd soup), cooked ovine meat and kok-somsa (small paté with primary greenery inside). According to the belief, if the festive table is rich in dishes and desserts, the New Year will be happier and lucky. The days of Navrouz, we visit elderly relatives, friends, neighbors. We organize joyful festivals, party bazaars, sports competitions. Young trees are planted and agricultural work begins.
According to the old rite, the oldest and most respected member of the village carries out the first furrow in the New Year. On feast days, the blessings of the elderly, parents and masters are spotted. It is believed that the feast of Navrouz must be celebrated in order to have abundance and luck all the year to come. According to the belief, on this day the angels descend on the earth and bring luck and well-being to the houses where peace and understanding prevail. That is why we forgive debts, forget revenge and grudges. According to popular legend ‘it is very important who will be your first host. To be lucky and successful, one expects someone honest and generous that day. Under the influence of the Navrouz and Soleilces days-the people indeed become more generous and open.
May 9 – Day of Memory and Honor
On 9 May, the Day of Victory in World War II is called in Uzbekistan “Day of Memory”. During this festival, we greet the heroes who defended their country, the independence and the peaceful life of its compatriots. This day is also dedicated to those who gave his life for the love of his country during the wars and in times of peace.
500,000 people never returned to Uzbekistan after the Second World War. Their names are immortalized in the book of memory and honor. This book consists of 34 volumes.
The older generation does not forget the pain and joy of the day of victory. This festival is very important for the Uzbek people. On May 9, we pay tribute to the dead for the sake of a radiant future in the years of the Second World War. All the inhabitants of Uzbekistan lay the flowers with the eternal flame, and with the monuments.
September 1 – Independence Day
The 1 septembte is the feast of the day of independence. It is an honorable holiday in Uzbekistan. It is the Uzbek national holiday. One celebrates it every year in the country. The independence of Uzbekistan was proclaimed 31 August 1991 in Tashkent in the 7th Extraordinary Session of the Supreme Council of the Republic. This festival is the pride of all the citizens of Uzbekistan. In every town, village and mahalla all, regardless of nation or religion, skin color actively celebrate this holiday. In the parks one can watch the folkloric outings and the public concerts with the dance and the singing.
October 1 – Teachers’ Day
Since 1997, the Uzbeks celebrate the Day of Teachers Day. It is a holiday in Uzbekistan. In Uzbekistan, teachers are deeply respected. On this day, all students and students offer flowers and gifts to their professors to express their gratitude for their hard work, their help and their efforts. Teachers are the second parents of children and youth.
8 December – Constitution Day
The Constitution is the fundamental law of the State. On 8 December 1992, at the 11th session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan was unanimously adopted.
December 8, 1992
Was declared as the day of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It is the day of the national holiday.
December 8 is a public holiday. That day is celebrated widely throughout the country. The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of 6 sections, 26 chapters and 128 articles.
Religious holidays
Aid al-Fitr
This festival is also called Ruza Khaït. It is the feast of spiritual and moral purification. According to Islamic law, it is celebrated on the 9th month of the Muslim calendar of the Hegira. This festival comes after Ramadan. During Ramadan from sunrise to sunset, people who fast do not have to drink, eat, afford bad thoughts. They must be respectful and treat others with kindness. For every Muslim, Ramadan is obligatory. Sick people, children, travelers are an exception. Ramadan lasts 30 days. The last day of Ramadan begins the feast of Aid al-Fitr. This feast lasts three days. But in Uzbekistan we celebrate only the first day.
Kourban Ait (Eid al-Adkha)
This festival is considered to be the biggest Muslim festival. It is the feast of Sacrifice for God. This feast of sacrifice is devoted to the obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim. Prophet Ibrahim decided to sacrifice his son for “Allah”.
But Allah has arrested him and has ordered the sacrifice of animals: sheep, camels, etc. From that day all Muslims sacrifice animals for this festival. Kurban Ait lasts three days. All Muslims celebrate this family holiday. In addition, people must visit the sick and the needy. We visit the parents. The first day of the holiday is declared in Uzbekistan as a holiday.
Muslim calendar
The Muslim calendar or Hegira calendar (hijri) is a lunar calendar. This calendar counts a year of 12 lunar months. Each lunar month includes 29 or 30 days. One Hegian year has 354 or 355 days. It is shorter than a solar year of about eleven days.
The current year is 1437 of the Hegira. We observe with the naked eye the new moon which signals the beginning of the month for the Muslims. We do not use astronomical calculations. For two centuries, Muslims around the world have been using the Gregorian calendar. This calendar is based on astronomical calculation.
The Muslim calendar includes twelve months of 29 or 30 days: mouharram, safar, rabia al awal, rabia ath-thani, joumada al oula, joumada ath-thania, rajab, chaabane, ramadan, chawwal, dhoual qi’da, dhou al- Hijja.
Each month begins when the first crescent moon end “hilal” is visible. It must be seen before it disappears on the horizon in the twilight gleams of the sunset.
Four months are sacred for lislam are Mouharram, Rajab, Dhou al Qi’da, Dhou al Hijja
Dates of the Muslim holidays 2016 and 2017
The dates of the most popular Muslim festivals are:
Mawlud
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Laylat al-Miraj (Al-Isra)
Wednesday 4 May 2016
Sunday 23 April2017
Laylat ul Bara’ah
Monday 23 May 2016
Friday 12 May 2017
Ramadan
From Monday 6 June to Wednesday 6 July 2016
From Friday 26 May to Saturday 24 June 2017
Laylat al-Qadr
Saturday 2 July 2016
Thursday 22 June 2017
Aid al-Fitr
Wednesday 6 July 2016
Saturday 24 June 2017
Aid al-Kabir
Sunday 11 September 2016
Samedib2 September 2017
Raas Assana
Saturday 1 October 2016
Wednesday 20 September 2017
Ashoura
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Monday, 2 October 2017