State holidays of Kyrgyzstan.January 1 is the New Year. The Kyrgyz New Year is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. In pre-Soviet times, the Kyrgyz did not know about this holiday, but now it has become traditional. They decorate the Christmas tree for the New Year, cook various dishes, buy gifts.
Christmas trees are decorated, various dishes are prepared, gifts are bought. It is customary to celebrate the New Year at the family table. Naturally, all the most favorite and best dishes are served to the table. The national diet includes beshbarmak, manti, chuchuk, meat dishes, as well as olivier, chicken and pickles, common in post-Soviet regions. Fruits and dried fruits are also an integral part of the Kyrgyz diet.
The feast on this day is especially long: it starts at 20:00 on the evening of December 31 and lasts until 2-3 am on January 1. During the feast, everyone exchanges congratulations and gifts. Children mostly get sweets and call Santa Claus. The presence of Santa Claus makes this evening surprisingly special.
At midnight, after the president’s festive address, everyone goes outside to admire the colorful lights of fireworks and fireworks launches. Many gather in the main square to share the joy of the New Year with as many people as possible.
January 7 is Christmas.
On this day, about a million Orthodox Christians in Kyrgyzstan celebrate Christmas. Christmas services are held in all churches of the republic. Bishops of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan greet the faithful at the Resurrection Cathedral in Bishkek. The celebration of Christmas in Kyrgyzstan is no different from the celebration in other countries. On Christmas Eve, festive services are held in churches. Christmas is celebrated at home with family and friends. The festive table is distinguished by a special richness. Kutya or sochevo, made from wheat, nuts, honey, dried fruits and poppy seeds, is placed on the table. It is customary to start a festive meal with this dish. Christmas Eve is followed by Epiphany.
February 23 – Fatherland Defense Day
February 23 is officially recognized as Defender of the Fatherland Day. It is popularly called Men’s Day. In Kyrgyzstan, this holiday has been celebrated since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Although there are no official events on this day, educational institutions and collectives do not miss the opportunity to congratulate men, give them gifts, sit together, exchange good mood and good wishes.
March 8, International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day on March 8 is an official non-working holiday in Kyrgyzstan.
It is celebrated as a celebration of meeting spring and attracting attention to women, and for men it is a great occasion to please their beloved women with flowers, gifts and attention.
According to the annual tradition, on the eve of March 8, the working day, male colleagues congratulate their female employees. A variety of delicious dishes and sweets are placed on the table, flowers and gifts are presented.
It is customary to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 in the circle of relatives and friends. Some families gather at the dinner table, others go out into nature or to a cafe.
However, the original meaning of this day – the fight against discrimination against women – has long been forgotten. The spring holiday is a great opportunity to remind people about the beauty of a woman and her importance in the life of every family and the country as a whole.
March 21, Nooruz.
Nooruz is a public holiday on the day of the vernal equinox, the New Year according to the solar calendar.
It is celebrated on March 21. The holiday is a public holiday. The vernal equinox is the culmination of perfect harmony between nature and man, the time of awakening and rebirth of all living things.
Since February 5, 1991, when the President of Kyrgyzstan signed a decree “On the establishment of the national holiday Nooruz”, this day has been included in the list of the most revered holidays. In Soviet times, Nooruz was not banned, but it was not celebrated either. Traditionally, Nooruz is celebrated by performances of theaters and artists not only in the central square of the capital Bishkek, but also throughout the country.
One of the main events of the holiday are equestrian competitions (Kok Boru, At chabysh and Tyin enmei). They are held at the Racetrack.
The main dish of the Nooruz holiday is “sumolok”. The process of its preparation seems to be a sacrament full of beauty, unity and mystical power.
Sumolok is traditionally prepared on the eve of the holiday, adding a small amount of flour from sprouted wheat and barley, as well as apricots and kishmish. Washed stones and peeled walnuts are poured into the boiler for grinding. There is a belief that if there is at least one of these stones or nuts in the bowl with the sumolok, then the wish will come true.
Folk songs and legends sound in the yard all night, and neighbors, friends and relatives take turns stirring and cooking porridge. Respect and honor reign in the circle of relatives and friends, and the participants of the holiday are sure that such relations will last for many years.
The prayers read at this time express the wish for a rich, fruitful, peaceful and prosperous year.
April 7, People’s Revolution Day is a public holiday celebrated on April 7 and has been an official day off since 2016.
This day is dedicated to the Second Revolution of 2010. On this day, solemn and memorable events are held throughout the country. More than 80 people died in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Kyrgyzstan. In memory of this terrible event, flowers will be laid at the monuments in their honor. The main events will be held on Ala Too Square with the participation of the President of the country.
May 1 is Labor Day.
It has been celebrated since Soviet times. It was previously called the International Workers’ Solidarity Day. In Soviet Kyrgyzstan, May 1 was officially celebrated for the first time in 1919. In Soviet times, this holiday was accompanied by May demonstrations, sports competitions and folk festivals. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, May 1 became just a holiday for spending time with family and friends, picnics, parks and nature trips.
May 5 is Constitution Day.
Constitution Day of the Kyrgyz Republic is celebrated on May 5, 1993, when the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic was adopted at the 12th session of the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic. After this momentous moment, the Kyrgyz Republic was renamed the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Constitution of the Kyrgyz SSR, adopted in 1978, became invalid.
In June 2010, a new Constitution was drafted and adopted, which is still in force. Kyrgyzstan has switched to a parliamentary system.
However, the official Constitution Day is May 5, which symbolizes Kyrgyzstan’s first step towards independence. There are no festive events on this day, but there is an opportunity to relax in the mountains and on the lakes, spend time with family and friends.
May 9 is Victory Day.
Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 is celebrated annually on May 9 . Wreaths and flowers are laid to the eternal flame on Victory Square. A minute of silence is observed in memory of the fallen soldiers, and at the end of the day a solemn salute is heard three times.
The President and veterans of the Great Patriotic War are present on the square. Not far from Victory Square there is an exhibition of military equipment, which everyone can visit.
On this day, a procession of the “Immortal Regiment” is held in many cities of the republic, in which citizens with portraits of their relatives who participated in the war take part. Victory Day is celebrated with a concert and fireworks.
The date of the event changes every year.
The dates of Orozo Ait and Kurman Ait change every year, as these are Muslim holidays determined by the lunar calendar. Orozo Ait marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. During Ramadan, many establishments operate normally, although some businesses and restaurants are closed during the day and open only for dinner.
Kurban Ait (feast of sacrifice) is a time of prayer, reflection and festive meals with the family.
August 31st Independence Day
Independence Day has been celebrated on August 31 since 1991. An extraordinary meeting of the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic declared independence and declared the country an independent, sovereign and democratic state.
Celebrations in honor of this day are held on the central square of the capital “Ala Too” with the participation of the president and prominent figures of the republic. The square is traditionally crowded with people.
After the congratulatory speech of the President, a theatrical performance begins with the participation of collectives from all over the republic. Equestrian competitions are held at the Hippodrome, and performances of artists of various genres are held in Bishkek Park. The culmination of the celebration of Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day will be a big concert and spectacular fireworks, which will be visible from all over the city.
November 7-8 is the Day of History and Memory of Ancestors
The Day of Memory of History and Ancestors in Kyrgyzstan is celebrated on November 7 and 8; since October 26, 2017, these days have been officially declared non-working.
In 2017, the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution was renamed the Day of History and Memory of Ancestors.
The President and members of the Government lay flowers at the Ata-Beit memorial complex, created in 2000 on the initiative of the first President of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Akayev at the mass grave site of victims of Stalin’s repressions.
Dates and Name of the holiday
January 1 – New Year
January 7 – Orthodox Christmas
February 23 – Defender of the Fatherland Day
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 21 – Nooruz
April 7 – April People’s Revolution Day
April 21 – Orozo Ait
May 1 – Labor Day
May 5 – Constitution Day
May 9 – Victory Day
June 28 – Kurman Ait
August 31 – Independence Day
November 7-8 – Days of History and memory of ancestors
