How is New Year celebrated in Uzbekistan?

In Uzbekistan, New Year is celebrated twice. First, the holiday is celebrated on January 1, and then on March 21. Both of these days are non-working.

New Year in Uzbekistan has been celebrated in the European style since Soviet times. The people liked the European traditions. During the period of celebration, in many localities of the country, a unique flavor dominates with decorated forest beauties and Santa Claus.

The center of festive entertainment is the capital of the state - Tashkent. An elegantly decorated Christmas tree is installed on the main square of the capital, called Mustakillik. There is a fair trade nearby, where you can buy Christmas trees, decorations, souvenirs, taste delicious food and drinks. Residents and guests of the city participate in interesting contests and lotteries, enjoy the performances of musical groups. On New Year's Eve, Uzbeks and guests of the city gather on the square in anticipation of the chimes at midnight and the festive fireworks.

Children gather on holidays in the square located next to the city circus. There are set up attractions, retail outlets where they sell sweets and toys. Every day, performances of clowns, acrobats, Santa Claus and Snow Maiden are organized.

Ded Moroz is called Korbobo in Uzbekistan, and the Snow Maiden is called Korkiz. Ded Moroz's vehicle is a donkey.

As soon as the beginning of December approaches, the streets of the settlements of Uzbekistan are decorated with garlands and decorations. On the squares, in large shopping centers, Christmas trees are installed. Posters with congratulations are being hung everywhere.

On holidays, residents of Uzbekistan decorate their homes with a live or artificial Christmas tree. The most common decor element is self-carved snowflakes fixed on the glass windows.

And in March, on the 21st, on the day of the vernal equinox, another New Year is celebrated, which is associated with the climatic conditions of the state and real astronomical events. The celebration of this holiday marks the joyful awakening of nature after winter has passed and the time for preparing for sowing begins.

The holiday has an ancient Iranian origin and is associated with the worship of the Sun and the name of the famous soothsayer Zarathushtra, is called Navruz, which means "new day".

Spring New Year has become widespread among many peoples of Central Asia. The main difference between Navruz and the European New Year is that it is celebrated in the afternoon, with the family. The main day of the celebration is March 21. Next month, Uzbeks receive guests and walk on their own, buy and plant fruit trees, go to picnics.

On the eve of the holiday, it is necessary to clean the house. A clean-up day is announced 7 days in advance, during which garbage is removed from the streets. From the very morning, a festive table is assembled, which should consist of sweets (according to tradition, they are treated to each other), 7 dishes with the letter "C", shurpa, pilaf, melon, sumalak, halima.

It is customary to present gifts not only to family and friends, but also to friends, even those who are not Muslims.

The festive menu necessarily contains national dishes of Uzbekistan. The main dish is pilaf with chicken or lamb, well seasoned with spices. On the New Year's table there are meat with vegetables, lagman, which is homemade noodles in meat broth, manti, Uzbek flatbread, dolma, which is stuffed cabbage rolls in grape leaves, kazy, homemade horse meat sausage, khasyp sausage made from mutton.

The sweets are halva, thick fruit juice called bekmes, chak-chak, which is a product made of flour with honey, viscous caramel, nuts and dried fruits.

Uzbeks have many traditions and rituals associated with New Year's holidays. A well-known rite is the breaking of old plates that are cracked or chipped. There is a belief that such an action will help get rid of all the negativity that was in the old year.

For the next ceremony, 12 grapes are prepared. With each strike of the chimes, one should eat a grape and make wishes. If a person manages to do this, then all desires will come true.

On the New Year's table, be sure to put a watermelon. The sweeter and more ripe it is, the more successful the year will be.

Celebration of Navruz is also associated with certain traditions. Much depends on the person who came to the house that day. If he has a quiet and kind disposition, has a good sense of humor, a good reputation, then this will bring good luck to the house.

How the New Year is celebrated in Uzbekistan, see the video.