National Festivals

As in many countries worldwide, people in Kazakhstan celebrate such holidays as New Year. However, there are a few outstanding ones, originated from the history of the country.

March 8, The International Women’s Day

Clara Zetkin, longtime German socialist leader and advocate for working women, first proposed a holiday honoring working women in 1907. Since 1914 the holiday began being held throughout Europe on the 8th of March. In the socialistic USSR the holiday was pronounced a day-off in 1965 and since then across the collapse has been celebrated in almost all post-soviet states. Gradually the political aspect of the holiday faded out and today the International Women’s Day celebration is all about being a woman. On this occasion men reach to out all women they admire, be it your wife, sweetheart, mother, sister, in-law or friend. They congratulate women, give presents and express their affection and consideration in every possible way!

March 22, Nauryz

Due to its ancient origin dated back to thousands years ago and relevant enchanting traditions the spring festivity Nauryz is the most popular one in a range of Oriental countries. As a matter of fact it is an oriental New Year holiday, celebrated on the vernal equinox. People in Kazakhstan as well as people dwelling in other Central Asian countries celebrate this holiday in accordance with the ancient traditions handed down through centuries.

They say that the more you celebrate the Nauryz holiday, the greater success will attend you throughout the year. Hence the abundance of festive traditions and attributes is not surprising.

Associated traditions

When the holiday comes, Kazaks would put on smart clothes, visits friends and relatives, exchange congratulations, best wishes of well-being and good luck in the coming year. Festivities are carried out along with fairs, national games, traditional horse-riding, sport games, musical performances, and a variety of other amusements in parks, squares, and hippodromes.

One of the Nauryz holiday related traditions is a sacrifice of a sheep. After slaughtering the sheep Kazakhs cook and roast its flesh and prepare all kinds of tasty meals, which symbolize well-bring and prosperity in the coming year. Before an actual celebration a host and hostess have to clean up their accommodation, cook delicious meals, put on new clothes, and then invite guests, arrange a feast, and share the meals at dastarkhan.

Competitions and Entertainment

One of the main attributes is holding a national musical competition called Aitys. Conventionally, two or more bards (akyns) participate in Aitys. Akyns are impromptu poets and music composer Their task is not only singing songs but also exchanging versed remarks on different subjects with their rivals!

Nauryz is unthinkable without national games and horse riding. Among the most popular and favored by Kazakhs are Kokpar (horse-riders play a kind of basketball), baiga (long-distance horse riding), and Audaryspak (men fight one another while riding horses). Naturally during Nauryz celebration the local hippodrome is one of the most exciting places to visit!

May 1, Day of Unity of People in Kazakhstan

In the Soviet times the first of May was celebrated as the international day of solidarity of working people. It was remarkable due to the abundance of political slogans and speeches made during parades. The new political system in Kazakhstan altered the original meaning of this holiday. Thus, in 1996 the President of Kazakhstan issued a decree that declared the first of May to be the day of unity of people in Kazakhstan. This is a very important and symbolic festival for such a multiethnic country as Kazakhstan.

May 9, Victory Day

This national patriotic holiday is celebrated in honor of the victory in the Great Patriotic War against the Fascistic German troops invasion in 1941-1945. Among the attributes of the The Victory Day celebration is holding a parade on the central square in every large and small town, paying tributes to the veterans, along with placing wreaths to the monuments of the heroes of the War.

August 30, Constitution Day

In August 1995 the people of Kazakhstan voted for adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the national referendum. According to the Constitution Kazakhstan declared its commitment to the principles of democracy, respect for human rights, and rule of law.

December 16, Independence Day

This holiday sprang from the recent history of Kazakhstan. After the collapse of the USSR the Republic of Kazakhstan became a sovereign independent country that declared its independence on December 16, 1991.