Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In Kazakhstan and around the world, Nauryz (Farsi for “new day”) is celebrated, the holiday of the spring equinox, which for many eastern peoples symbolizes the New Year, the arrival of spring and the associated renewal of nature . And for modern Kazakhstan, it is also a symbol of a rich spiritual heritage, a unique national code, an inextricable connection between generations, renewal and the desire for a new life.
Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“Harmony of religion and traditions in Kazakh land”
One of the first to congratulate his compatriots on Nauryz’s joyful holiday was the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was on a business trip to Almaty. In his speech during the ceremony in Astana Square, the state leader noted that the people of the republic, following ancient traditions, approach Nauryz in unity and harmony.
“Since time immemorial our ancestors celebrated Nauryz as the beginning of the year. Today Nauryz has become a national holiday. It is expected and celebrated by all together, regardless of ethnic and religious differences. Popular wisdom says: “A kind word is half good.” It has long been customary to start the new year with good intentions and useful deeds. On this day, our hospitable compatriots serve a generous dastarkhan and address each other with good wishes, clean springs and plant trees, restore order and cleanliness. This festival, which embodies the noblest qualities and values of our people, coincided this year with the month of Ramadan. This symbolically reflects the harmony of religion and traditions on Kazakh soil,” said the Kazakh leader.
The president recalled that starting this year Nauryz is celebrated for 10 days and today is Yntymak Kuni, Solidarity Day.
“Unity and solidarity are among the main values of our people. We must cultivate noble qualities such as affection and kindness. I am convinced that the inviolability of unity and solidarity is a secure basis for the sustainable development of the country,” concluded the Head of State.
Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“Family members embraced each other in shared joy.”
The custom of celebrating Nauryz is more than 4,000 years old. This is the time when the length of the night becomes equal to the length of the day, and this is the signal to begin preparations for spring field work. That is why Nauryz’s Christmas menu traditionally includes cereal dishes, usually sprouted barley. On this day, people visit their relatives and friends, congratulate each other, give gifts, treat their neighbors with traditional national food, and then participate in folk games and festive festivities. It was believed that the well-being and prosperity of the coming year depended on how they celebrated Nauryz, so public festivities were widespread and the tables were filled with abundant dishes.
This holiday is a favorite among Kazakhs. It is not surprising that the famous philosopher, poet, educator and founder of written Kazakh literature, Abai Kunanbayev, dedicated the following lines to him:
“In the spring nomadic camp, the auls gathered,
Family members embraced each other with shared joy.
And acquaintances simply, joking and laughing,
“They met to talk about everything.”
It is curious that these days Nauryz is celebrated by more than 300 million inhabitants of Central Asia, the Balkans, the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Black Sea basin and other regions of the planet, but there are differences in popular traditions and celebrations. beliefs.
“In Kazakhstan there is a difference from other Turkic peoples,” says the Doctor of Historical Sciences and professor at the National University of Kazakhstan. al-Farabi Leila Akhmetova. – According to legend, on the night of March 22, Kydyr-ata walked around the Earth, bringing wealth and well-being to the house. There is another version that says that on the day of the spring equinox Happiness goes around the Earth, looking at each house.”
Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The most popular games of the Kazakhs in Nauryz, which have come down to us from ancient times, are considered baiga (horse racing), audary-spek (getting off the chairs), kyz kuu (“catch up and kiss the girl” ).
And since ancient times, the most important thing was considered the competition between the akyns (aitys) and the kuyshi, dombra performers of popular Kazakh instrumental pieces (kuys). Unfortunately, after the October Revolution, Nauryz, like other ancient religious holidays, was declared a relic of the past and, starting in 1926, was banned. Only in the late 1980s did towns begin to return to their origins and rehabilitate the festivities and traditions that were important to them. This is how Nauryz was “rehabilitated.” In 2001 it received state status and was included in the official list of holidays. And in 2009 it was included in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
It is important to note that starting this year in Kazakhstan this holiday will be celebrated annually for ten days, from March 14 to 23. The basis for the new celebration format was laid by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who in a recent interview with the Egemen Qazakhstan newspaper called for celebrating Nauryz a little differently than before. “Nauryz symbolizes renewal, and it is also necessary to celebrate it in a new way: meaningful, creative, with the introduction of new distinctive elements,” the Head of State emphasized.
Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The decade was called “Nauryznama”. According to the new concept presented by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic, the decade will “incorporate a variety of cultural and traditional events designed to bring a new spirit and meaning to Nauryz.” Each day “will be dedicated to a specific theme to fully reveal the holiday and highlight all its nuances.”
Interestingly, on the day of the Nauryz celebration, the popular KeyNews telegram channel presented the TOP 5 of the most popular Kazakh national musical works (kuys), which will be played at the festive table and at concerts. Among them, for example, is the famous composition, considered a classic of Kazakh instrumental music, “Serper” (“Rush”). According to legend, its author, the founder of the kuy, the composer Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly, once came to visit and saw a dombra in the yurt that belonged to the owner’s daughter named Ak-Medey. The girl performed a kui unknown to the guest, to which Kurmangazy impulsively performed his now famous “Serper.”
Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“This is a festival for all peoples”
According to the president of the RPO “Moscow Kazakhstan National Autonomy” Aishat Baygazieva, this holiday is very important and dear to the people of Kazakhstan.
“Nauryz for Kazakhs is a new day, a new year, a spring festival, a renewal,” he recalled. – At the same time, the holiday does not cancel the traditional New Year; I repeat, it is a spring festival, which is celebrated in 87 countries around the world. I would like to especially emphasize: Kazakhstan is a multinational state and Nauryz is celebrated by all its peoples, always has been and always will be. “It helps to strengthen the friendship of peoples and social unity, introduces the traditional values of the peoples of Kazakhstan and friendly neighboring peoples.”
Aishat said that on March 24, the regional national-cultural autonomy of Kazakhstan will celebrate the holiday at the House of Nationalities in Moscow. Activists from public organizations and representatives of diasporas will participate, interesting competitions and master classes will be held. Guests of the holiday will be introduced to the national traditions of Nauryz, they will be told about the history of the holiday and the customs associated with this day. And it will all end with a concert and refreshments.
Candidate of Historical Sciences and member of the scientific expert group of the African National Congress from the Kostanay region, Aibek Shalgimbekov, called the new Nauryz celebration format a good idea. “We are beginning to revive what was once forgotten, and the revival of past traditions says it all.”
He believes that, in general, holidays should be popular and bring people together. “Any holiday carries a symbol of unity. This holiday definitely has a future, that is, it will not be forgotten. Nauryz is gaining strength. Nowadays, students, schoolchildren and entire work teams wear camisoles and incorporate national elements into everyday clothing. Before we were ashamed. That is why, without a doubt, the holiday is gaining momentum,” added the Kazakh historian.
Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to Yesengaliya Ibraev, deputy of the Tyumen City Duma, chairman of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of the Kazakhs of Russia and member of the Presidential Council of the Russian Federation for Interethnic Relations, Kazakhs in the Tyumen region traditionally celebrate Nauryz with folklore festivals. , concerts, yurt installation, sports competitions, horse races and national wrestling competitions.
“We are starting to celebrate Nauryz in densely populated areas. For example, in the city of Ishim, located 100 kilometers from the border with Kazakhstan. This year we will organize Christmas concerts and charity events. Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate everyone on the holiday of peace and goodness, with the beginning of the new year according to the Turkish calendar,” the Russian parliamentarian concluded.
