What a holiday for Uzbeks is September 1st. Holidays in Uzbekistan: state and national. Religious holidays with changing dates

Uzbekistan is an amazing country. This is a picturesque region that personifies all the beauty of the East, its contrasts in nature, climate and culture. There are snow-capped peaks and desert plains, dense forests and lifeless deserts, rivers full of life and a dying salt lake. Very hardworking, cheerful, generous and hospitable people live there. If you ever happen to get to Uzbekistan for one of their holidays, you will be able to see this for yourself.

State and national holidays

Like many other states, including the countries of the former Soviet Union, Uzbekistan has a number of quite traditional dates. These include the following:
New Year, which, like in most other countries, is celebrated on January 1st. There are no national traditions or customs associated with this holiday, but it is also celebrated on a grand scale: with a richly laid table, festivities, sleigh rides, a decorated Christmas tree, gifts, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden. For many residents, this is one of their favorite holidays;

March 8 is International Women's Day. This holiday is a relic of the Soviet era, but even today it provides an opportunity to once again say words of gratitude to women who are the guardians of family peace and comfort, symbols of tenderness, care and love. In all major cities, clubs hold thematic programs and concerts;

Uzbeks celebrate Independence Day on September 1. In honor of this, many events and cultural programs are held, including amateur performances, exhibitions, sports competitions, folklore and variety shows, competitions and festive programs. One of the obligatory events of this day is treating everyone to pilaf, which they rarely do without in this generous country;

14 – Day of Defenders of the Motherland. It was on this day that the armed forces of Uzbekistan were created. All men, and especially military personnel, hear many warm words and congratulations addressed to them. On this day, they try to hold a ceremonial presentation of awards to the military, organize parades and military sports competitions. Everything again takes place on a grand scale and is very spectacular;

May 9 – Day of Remembrance and Respect. During the Great Patriotic War, Uzbekistan sacrificed 450 thousand of its sons for the sake of peace. This day is not only rejoicing over the victory over fascism, but also memories of these people who have passed away forever, the strength of the human spirit, love and devotion to duty and the Motherland. In honor of this, memorial concerts, flower laying and other events full of light sadness are held;

Teacher and Mentor Day. It is celebrated on October 1 and is considered a day off. Historically, teaching is one of the most revered professions here (and throughout the world). On this day, many organize alumni reunions and come to visit their teachers to once again thank them for their hard work. In educational institutions, students organize interesting concerts and other festive events for their mentors;

Constitution day. This document was adopted on December 8, and now many cultural official events are held annually on this date, which remind us that the Law rules in this country, and the interests of the entire Uzbek people are at the forefront.

Many will be surprised that this list is missing national holidays, such as Navruz, Ramadan Khayit and Kurban Khayit. The fact is that these are events that are better described separately.

National holidays

Nowruz

This word is translated as “new day.” This is not surprising, because this holiday is an event that marks the new year according to local beliefs and customs. The history of Nowruz goes back more than 3000 years to the time of Zoroastrianism. It is celebrated on March 21 - the day of the spring equinox, when the night becomes shorter and nature begins a new cycle of life. From this day on, a new agricultural season began.
They always celebrate it on a grand scale and respect their traditions and customs. Before the celebration begins, a special dish is prepared - sumalak. All the women of the neighboring community prepare it - makhali. They gather around a huge cauldron and take turns stirring a thick brew of sprouted wheat grains. It is believed that after a woman has taken part in the preparation, she can ask the Almighty to fulfill any desire, and it will be fulfilled (of course, the desire must be good). After the preparation is finished (and it cooks all night), everyone is treated to it. If you find a pebble in a bowl of sumalak, this is a good sign and it promises prosperity and good luck for the whole next year. It is not by chance that the stones appear here - they are placed so that the dish does not burn.
Naturally, such a great holiday is not complete without pilaf. Each neighboring community, each housewife prepares their own treat and does not let a guest leave the house without a cash register (such as a pilaf bowl) with a delicacy. On Navruz it is customary to go on a visit, visit relatives, give gifts and treats. In addition to pilaf, many other national dishes are prepared and lush and generous tables are set in all cities and towns. But this New Year is famous not only for its feasts - it cannot do without folk festivities with music and dancing. It is especially interesting to attend competitions in horse riding and the folk game kupkari. Its essence lies in the fact that two horsemen, while galloping, are trying to take possession of a young lamb. This is very simple in words only - but in reality it is a very spectacular and breathtaking game, in which only truly fearless and experienced riders can participate.

Ramadan Hayit and Kurban Hayit

These two holidays are full of deep religious meaning and are deeply revered by the inhabitants of the country. Ramadan Hayit marks the end of 30 days of strict fasting and is celebrated for three days. Each day begins with a prayer - namaz-khayit, after which all Uzbeks go to visit each other, remember the dead, visit the sick and do charity work. It is on these days that such deeds are considered especially godly. Again, you can’t go anywhere without pilaf - they treat all neighbors and guests to it, and take it with them as a gift.
Kurban Hayit is very similar in celebration to Ramadan Hayit, but is celebrated 70 days after it. If there is a young daughter-in-law in the house - kelin - then it is on Kurban Khayit that she receives guests in a special way. Her face and shoulders are covered with a veil, and she greets everyone with a ritual half-bow.

Any holiday is always an event worth attending. One of the best tour operators in Central Asia "Central Asia Journeys" invites you to exciting holiday tours. In addition to participating in the most interesting events, you will be able to visit on a tour the most picturesque and majestic cultural and architectural monuments of this stunning and truly fabulous country.

The Uzbek people love and know how to celebrate. Weddings, anniversaries, national holidays - any festive event in Uzbekistan is fun, hospitable and with a large number of guests. With an abundance of delicious national dishes, to the sounds of national instruments and fiery dances. There are seven official holidays celebrated annually in Uzbekistan:

January 1 - New Year

Significant dates on the calendar, although not weekends, are also the holidays of Uzbekistan - the Day of Defenders of the Motherland, celebrated on January 14, and the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Repression on August 31.

The days of the main Muslim holidays of Uzbekistan are declared as days off:

Ramadan Khait and Kurban Khait, the date of celebration of which is determined according to the lunar calendar.

Each holiday has its own special meaning for the residents of Uzbekistan and a separate story. For example, such holidays of Uzbekistan as Navruz, Ramadan Khait and Kurban Khait came to us from ancient times, the traditions of Zoroastrianism and Islam, which have been living in the everyday life of the Uzbek people for centuries. Residents of Uzbekistan also pay tribute to international significant dates: New Year - the most magical and beloved holiday in the whole world and International Women's Day, dedicated to wives, mothers, daughters - all the beautiful women of the Earth.

The celebration of May 9 and October 1 is a tribute to the past of Uzbekistan.
Uzbek people carefully preserve the memory of the Second World War, in which the people of Uzbekistan took an active part in the fight against the fascist invaders at the front and in the rear. The celebration of October 1st has become another good tradition over more than half a century of its existence. Teachers and Mentors Day is a celebration of respect for the work and wise patience of those who invested precious knowledge in us. In fact, a respectful attitude towards the Teacher has even deeper roots in Uzbekistan, going deep into the centuries-old customs of the Uzbek people and is tightly connected with the Eastern mentality of honoring elders and sages.

Independence gave Uzbekistan
new holidays are symbols of a new page in the history of the country: Independence Day, Constitution Day, Defenders of the Motherland Day. The most striking of the new holidays is Independence Day. On this day, a number of large-scale cultural events are held - festive shows, concerts and other entertainment events dedicated to the Birthday of Uzbekistan are held throughout the country.

Also, in Uzbekistan there are two religious holidays with changing dates depending on the lunar calendar:
- Ramadan-Hait. In 2019 The first day of Ramadan-Hait in Uzbekistan is celebrated on June 5, 2019. In this regard, June 5 (Wednesday) has been declared a non-working day. Also, June 6 (Thursday) was declared a day off instead of Saturday, June 1
- Eid al-Hait. In 2018, Kurban Khait in Uzbekistan is celebrated on August 21, 2018. In this regard, August 21 (Tuesday) has been declared a non-working day. Also, non-working days have been declared on August 22 and 23 (Wednesday and Thursday) for those working 5 days a week and August 22 (Wednesday) for working 6 days a week. Then August 25 and 26 (Saturday and Sunday, respectively) were declared working days.

Additional days off in Uzbekistan in 2019

On November 12, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree “On the establishment of additional non-working days during the celebration of official dates and the transfer of days off in 2019.”

In 2019 additional non-working days are established by law, timed to coincide with the public holidays of New Year, Nowruz and Independence Day, and also the transfer of certain weekends to the working days closest to these holiday dates.

As a result of the establishment of additional non-working days and the transfer of certain days off, the duration of continuous rest on holidays in 2019 will be:

• for the New Year- 5 calendar days (December 30, 2018 - a day off according to the calendar, December 31, 2018 - a postponed day off from December 29 (Saturday), January 1, 2019 - a holiday non-working day, January 2, 2019 - an additional non-working day, January 3 2019 - postponed day off from January 5 (Saturday); i.e. New Year's holidays: December 30,31, January 1,2,3
• for the holiday of Navruz - 4 calendar days: March 21, 2019 - a holiday non-working day, March 22 - an additional non-working day, March 23 and 24 are days off according to the calendar); those. weekends for Navruz 2019: March 21-24
• on Independence Day - 4 calendar days (August 31, 2019 - a day off according to the calendar, September 1, 2019 - a holiday non-working day, September 2 - an additional non-working day, September 3 - a postponed day off from Saturday September 7). those. Independence Day weekend: August 31, September 1-3
• Also in June, it is expected that Saturday June 1 will be moved to Thursday June 6 in connection with Ramadan Hayit.

The establishment of additional non-working days dedicated to the New Year, Navruz and Independence Day holidays is provided by reducing the duration of labor leave by three days. This will ensure:

• the minimum duration of labor leave established by Article 134 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (15 working days);
• maintaining the amount of payments due to the employee’s annual leave by adding additional non-working days dedicated to public holidays to the established duration of leave.

Uzbek people loves and knows how to enjoy life, therefore various holidays, be it weddings, anniversaries or official events, are held on a grand scale, with huge crowds of people, to the fiery music of national orchestras, with songs, dances, fun and of course an abundance of delicious Uzbek dishes.

Public holidays inUzbekistan e, actually, not so much, it's Independence Day - September 1, Constitution Day - December 8, Day of Honor and Glory - May 9, but the government is also sympathetic to traditional national holidays. All of them are considered state holidays and are declared public holidays.

Some of the most significant events of the year are Ramadan And Eid al-Hait - two great Islamic holidays, coming after a long spiritual fast (uraza), forcing one to cleanse oneself and think about the frailty of life and the greatness of the Almighty.

On the days of celebration, after the congratulatory service in the mosque, people perform the prescribed rituals, mainly related to the remembrance of the dead, then receive guests or go to visit relatives. Charity these days is considered especially godly. Therefore, even the most disadvantaged families try to treat their neighbors or acquaintances to kasa pilaf.

Favorite holiday inUzbekistan e, without exaggeration, of course Navruz - the time of the spring equinox, New Year's Eve, awakening of nature and the beginning of sowing work.

The origins of this event are rooted in Zoroastrianism, and the custom is said to be at least 3,000 years old.

Preparation for the holiday starts early. A week before the significant event, people put their homes, gardens, orchards, and plots of land in order: they dig up the ground, plant young trees, whiten and prune those already planted.

Nowruz finally arrives on April 21st - a joyful celebration of universal unity, which is accompanied by abundant feasts organized in each mahalla (neighboring community), music, cheerful dancing, jokes, laughter, folk games and festivities.

In addition to a cheerful feast, another indispensable attribute Navruz is sumalak. Sumalak - first dish of the new year, only women are allowed to prepare it, who during the day, on the street, replacing each other, continuously stir the brew of sprouted wheat grains in a huge cauldron.

They say that having defended her “shift” at the cauldron, a woman has the right to ask the Almighty for anything she wants, and her request will be considered favorably.
The next day, everyone is given the resulting dish - a viscous, sweet mass of a pleasant chocolate color, an object of desire for children and adults.

Many people find small pebbles in their portions, and this is not at all the negligence of the cooks; the washed pebbles were specially placed to prevent the delicacy from burning. So the “surprise” found is the key to a successful, abundant year and the absence of serious negativity for the next 365 days.
Not everyone knows, but sumalak- a real vitamin blow to spring fatigue and winter vitamin deficiency, it’s not for nothing that it is so popular among the people.

Also Happy Celebration Navruz connected and one of the favorite pastimes Uzbek people, equestrian game Kupkari, in which real men compete .

Tribal relations and the rituals associated with them always play a special role in the life of peoples. Ritual culture of the Uzbeks has retained very deep roots and dates back to time immemorial. The main reason for performing rituals has always been family life - the birth and upbringing of children, marriages, farewells to the deceased. In the practice of the Uzbek people they represent a close interweaving of Islamic culture with earlier forms that have Zoroastrian overtones.

Today, patriarchal traditions have been transferred to modern public life, which is concentrated in the mosque, teahouse, bazaar or other places. Traditionally, only men take part in the public performance of rituals.