With the advent of spring, every Kazakh with special feeling awaits one of the brightest and most significant holidays - Nauryz. This ancient holiday, whose roots are in the depths of millennia, symbolizes the renewal of nature, the beginning of a new life cycle and the celebration of harmony between man and the world around him.
The history of Nauryz dates back more than 5,000 years. Its origin is associated with the day of the vernal equinox, when day and night become equal, and nature awakens after a long winter. For the peoples of Central Asia, this moment has always meant the beginning of a new year and a new stage in life. The nomads of the Great Steppe welcomed Nowruz with special joy: they said goodbye to the harsh winter, rejoicing in the first rays of the warm sun, the greenery and the return of life to the steppe.
The celebration lasted several days. People visited their relatives and neighbors, wished each other well-being, shared news and prepared for the new year. These traditions of mutual respect, hospitality and unity are preserved today, passed down from generation to generation.
In modern Kazakhstan, Nowruz has acquired a new meaningful meaning, while at the same time retaining its deep connection with historical traditions. In 2024, at the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan Kassam-Jomart Tokayev, a new format of celebration was approved - the ten-day "Nauryznama", which is held from March 14 to 23. This initiative is aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of the people and giving the holiday a deeper social and spiritual meaning.
Each of the ten days of the ten-day celebration is dedicated to a separate theme and values, reflecting the richness and diversity of Kazakh culture and public life:
1) March 14 - "Körısu künı - Amal feseti" (Day of Meetings). Since ancient times, this day has been considered the beginning of the new year among the Kazakhs. People visited the homes of relatives and neighbors, congratulated each other on the arrival of spring and wished each other well-being.
2) March 15 - – „Qayırımdılıq künı“ (Day of Kindness). It is dedicated to charity, mercy and support for people in need. This day reminds of the importance of compassion and mutual support in society.
3) March 16 - „Mədeniyet yənə yənəttəl salt-təsəttə kyünı“ (Day of Culture and National Traditions). On this day, special attention is paid to the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of art and the popularization of national traditions.
4) March 17 - „Şənyrak künı“ (Day of the Shanyrak). The Shanyrak is a symbol of the home and family. The day is dedicated to strengthening family values - love, respect, mutual understanding and continuity between generations.
5) March 18 - “Улттык Қыйй күйл“ (National Clothing Day). On this day, the country's residents wear traditional costumes, demonstrating respect for the history and culture of their people, as well as emphasizing the cultural diversity of Kazakhstan.
6) March 19 - “Жанару күйл“ (Renewal Day). It symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in the life of the country and every person. Tree planting campaigns and environmental initiatives are held throughout the country, reflecting the idea of renewal and caring for the future.
7) March 20 - “Улттык спорт күйл“ (National Sports Day). National sports traditions are an important part of the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan and reflect the spirit of the nomadic civilization, in which strength, endurance and mutual assistance were the basis of life.
8) March 21 - „Ýntymaq künı“ (Solidarity Day). This day emphasizes the importance of social understanding, mutual respect and unity of the people of Kazakhstan.
9) March 22 - the main day of the holiday, „Zhyl basy“ (Beginning of the year). It symbolizes the beginning of a new life cycle, the renewal of nature and society. It is on this day that large-scale folk celebrations are held, yurts are erected, national music sounds, and cultural and sports events are organized.
10) March 23 - „Tazaru künı“ (Cleansing Day). It is dedicated to spiritual and ecological renewal. Clean-ups and environmental initiatives are organized throughout the country, reminding us of the need to take care of nature.
During the ten-day period of "Nauraznama", festivals, exhibitions, literary and musical evenings, theater performances, charity events and sports competitions are held in the country. The holiday fills the streets with an atmosphere of joy, hospitality and unity.
