Navruz is a spring festival and the first day of the traditional New Year for peoples in Uzbekistan. Navruz makes a significant contribution to preserving the traditions and values that have been formed over centuries and passing them on to future generations. Through this, a unique "dialogue of generations" is formed between different age groups. Moreover, Navruz serves to strengthen human qualities such as unity, solidarity, compassion, and to educate people in the spirit of patriotism, diligence, peacefulness, and interethnic harmony.

A public holiday celebration in Uzbekistan. Photo: Gazeta.uz

Each year, we continue to discover new facets of it, aspects that have remained mysteries for centuries. History is not merely a collection of numbers; it also expresses the concepts, perceptions, joys, sorrows, and hopes of each nation. It is necessary to outline that Navruz is celebrated throughout Uzbekistan in all towns and villages, covering all local communities. During festival, various public cultural events is taking place with participation of elderly people and young generation. Traditional meals prepared from spring greens (sumalak) are offered.

The Navruz festivities continue almost one month starting from 21st of March. During this period various social practices and customs are observed, such as nature protection activities (cleaning and landscaping, tree and flowers planting) and strengthening of family and community values (visits to relatives, support to elderly and sick peoples).

Navruz festivity in local community. Photo: UZA

Rope walking performances. Photo: “Umrboqiy Meros” Center

Navruz is a festival of labor, compassion, and humanity. On this day, the graves of the deceased are visited. The elderly, disabled and parents are visited. People exchange gifts and sweets with one another. Navruz is a festival of love, affection, and devotion. Wedding ceremonies were held in connection with Navruz.

The custom of “kelin ko'rdi” (bride viewing). Photo: “Umrboqiy Meros” Center

Navruz is a festival of friendship and fraternity. This day is celebrated by everyone, regardless of ethnic belonging, religion, or beliefs. Navruz is recognized as an official public holiday in Uzbekistan, and to this day, it is welcomed with grand celebrations by people of all ages, from the young to the elderly.

Festival dances and costumes. Photo: Yuz.uz

Navruz as festival of peace, harmony, compassion and kindness gained international recognition in 2009 and was inscribed to the UNESCO's Representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The most important day of the festival is March 21st. According to belief, the more joyful and cheerful Navruz is, the more generous nature will be to humans. Therefore, from early morning, the sounds of karnay and surnay, doira and nog’ora announce the arrival of Navruz, calling people to the festivities.

On Navruz, all family members gather around the holiday table. The table must absolutely be decorated with foods symbolizing rebirth and new life: sprouted wheat grains, green samsa, dumplings with spinach. In addition, plov, soup, meat, eggs dyed green (the color of spring), almonds, walnuts, and sweets are served. However, the main decoration of the holiday table is sumalak, which is prepared from sprouted wheat grains with the addition of butter and flour.

The process of preparing sumalak. Photo: UZA

Sumalak is being prepared on the eve of the festival. Large families, neighborhoods, or all the women of a community gather around large cauldrons, taking turns stirring throughout the night to prevent it from burning. Often, a handful of small pebbles are placed at the bottom of the cauldron; this helps the mixture to break down better and prevents burning when stirred. It is believed that if someone accidentally finds a "lucky" pebble, they will have good fortune in the New Year. To keep the long and laborious process by the fire from becoming a boring chore, it is accompanied by music, songs, and dances, which begins the celebration of Navruz with joy.

Navruz, which has embodied the noble aspirations of people for centuries, has incomparable social and spiritual significance. In this regard, the significance of this festival in society can be seen in the following.

Firstly, Navruz makes a significant contribution to preserving the traditions and values that have been formed over centuries and passing them on to future generations. Here, the deep study of the history of Navruz, the traditions and values associated with it by the countries where this festival is widely celebrated, and its wide promotion on a global scale leads to further enrichment of humanity's intangible cultural heritage.

Secondly, the holiday serves to strengthen human qualities such as unity, compassion, and kindness, and to educate people in the spirit of diligence, peacefulness and mercy.

Thirdly, the season of renewal plays an important role in strengthening solidarity between peoples and in bringing them closer together.

In conclusion, Navruz is a unique festival that has played an important role in the social life of people for centuries, embodying the daily life, needs, and ancient customs of the population. The attention given to this festival at the state level is an indication that its social significance is indeed high.

This article was contributed by Ms. Lutfiya Khomidovna Mirzaeva, with generous coordination by Mr. Alisher Ikramov, Chairperson of the Culture Masters IAB.

Ms. Lutfiya Khomidovna Mirzaeva

Ms. Lutfiya Khomidovna Mirzaeva was born in Bukhara region of Uzbekistan in 1960. She graduated Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute in 1982 and started her professional career as school teacher (1982-1993) with further appointment to school deputy principal position (1994-2003). Later on Ms. Lutfiya Mirzaeva was appointed as Head of Foreign Languages Department at the Education Center under the Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan (2004- 2007). In 2008 she was invited to Deputy Chairperson position of the “Hunarmand” (Craftsman) Association (2008-2018) and since 2019 she is Director of Culture and Art Promotion Center of Uzbekistan “Umrboqiy Meros”.