Ask any Uzbek people, whether old or young, about the dearest and most favorite holiday. And as often as not you will get the answer "Navruz". What kind of holiday is it

Holidays in Uzbekistan

Each year Uzbekistan celebrates seven public holidays: 1st of January – New Year, 8th of March – International Women’s Day, 21st of March – Navruz, 9th of May – Memorial Day, 1st of September – Independence Day, 1st of October – Teacher’s Day, 8th of December – Constitution Day. Also Uzbekistan celebrates the Day of Defenders of Motherland on January 14 and the Day of Remembrance for the victims of political repressions, observed on August 31, though these holidays are not free days. Two major Muslim holidays in Uzbekistan, Ramadan Khait and Kurban Khait, are days off and are celebrated each year according to the lunar calendar.

Navruz

Ask any Uzbek people, whether old or young, about the dearest and most favorite holiday. And as often as not you will get the answer “Navruz”. What kind of holiday is it? And why it is so favorite by everyone, either residents or guests of the country. First of all, perhaps, for the wisdom that came to us from midst of time. Because the history of this holiday goes back to the Zoroastrianism epoch, to the period of good god Zarathustra and the sun cult. And this holiday appeared not without the reason, but exclusively on the call of nature. Exactly on March 21, when day and night are equal, a new solar cycle, new astronomical year, and consequently the law of renewal again come into their power.

The main mystery happens on the night of March 21. It is time for preparation of the main ceremonial meal from germinated wheat: sumalak. The whole mahalla, mostly women, gather near the huge pot: sit in a circle, sing songs, have fun, each of them waits for their turn to stir the sumalak. In the morning still warm sumalak is handed out to neighbors, relatives and friends. Tasting the sumalak it is necessary to make a wish, which, the locals say, will come true. Navruz generally is very tightly connected with new hopes and expectations. Therefore, on this day it is used to forgive even the worst enemies, not to quarrel, to help weak and poor people. People believe that all of this will lure the success in your house.