Each year Uzbek people meet the Navruz holiday with great enthusiasm, which is a symbol of a clear sky, the renewal of nature, love of life. A festival of creation is of an important role spiritual life of the Uzbek people, strengthening the harmony between man and nature, the approval of the atmosphere of humanism, tolerance, respect and attention to the older generation, caring for younger in society, upbringing the young generation in the spirit of national and universal values.
Since ancient times nations of the East have considered the ground as a sacred thing and celebrated the Navruz as a time of transformation and awakening of nature. The tradition of celebrating the day of the vernal equinox – March 21 has its roots in early antiquity and is inextricably linked with almost all aspects of human life – the life, work, culture.
The earliest signs of the existence of the festival on the territory of Uzbekistan were contained in the holy book “Avesta”, as well as the Chinese chronicle “The History of the Tang Dynasty” related to the early Middle Ages. Many authors wrote about the Navruz, but the most valuable information is contained in the treatises of Abu Rayhan Biruni, Navoi, Babur, Narshakhi, Isa al-Kisrawi, works of Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam, Sakkoki.
Since gaining state independence in Uzbekistan this day revived in this land and acquired a deeper meaning and content. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov said, for centuries the holiday of Navruz has been embodying the noble values and fine traditions of Uzbek people, their good intentions and aspirations which is an invaluable heritage of our ancestors, and in the years of independence it has become a truly national holiday, all our compatriots regardless of their nationality, language and religion looks forward to its occurrence. Navruz symbolizes the eternal cycle of life, the greatness and the boundless generosity of nature. Traditionally, it is celebrated in all regions of the country as a national holiday, with the participation of representatives of all nations and nationalities.
With the arrival of this festival people forgive each other all the insults, many people visit the poor, the lonely and helpless and warm them with care and gifts. In addition, these days active works are carried out on landscaping and gardening mahallas and streets, squares and gardens, companies and organizations.
Traditionally on the eve of spring numerous modern facilities, service and maintenance centers, houses on standard projects for rural areas have been built and given for use in the towns and villages of Uzbekistan. The implementation of these good deeds gives impetus to new achievements for the benefit of the motherland prosperity, each family living on the blessed Uzbek land.
Navruz is impossible to imagine without a variety of meals, which is arranged in the hope of coming fruitful and profitable year. During the days of the holiday fairs selling products at affordable prices and places for itinerant trade of agricultural products and foodstuffs are organized. It is not surprising that many different national dishes are served on dastarkhan in the celebration.
The lord of festive dishes is undoubtedly Sumalak, which is prepared in the family among relatives and friends with songs and humorous. The most tasty and healthy for the human body a spring delicacy is cooked fr om flour and sprouted wheat grains which are a symbol of life, heat, abundance and health.
According to popular wisdom, a good man can be known from his eyes, and a good year by Navruz coming. Therefore, during this holiday people rejoice and gladden. On the decorated squares of the capital, regional centers and mahallas crowded festivities with songs, dances and theatrical performances are organized, folk games and amusements, horse and sports are held. Everything is saturated with spring freshness, joy, new hopes, which give every citizen the festive mood.
On the occasion of Navruz holiday a large celebration in the National Park of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi is held. Each year, the celebratory program pleases Uzbek people with novelty, extraordinary creativity of the organizers. It includes performances of music and dance, and the stars of the national stage, glorifying Motherland, Independence, Navruz, spring, love.
Navruz is celebrated by millions of people in West, Central and South Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans and elsewh ere. Annually in abroad numerous presentations, cultural evenings, concerts, exhibitions and other events dedicated to this holiday and related traditions are conducted in the last decade of March. Thus, Navruz unites people internationally and contributes to the promotion of Uzbek cultural values in other countries.
It should be noted that since September 2009 the Navruz has been included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and at the end of February 2010 the 64th session of the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Navruz. The celebration of this date indicates that the international community recognizes its importance in promoting the ideas of humanism, the preservation of peace, solidarity and good neighborliness.
This bright holiday signifies the onset of the plentiful and abundant spring. It gives people good, promotes glorification of human and universal values, extols the unique beauty of nature. In addition, Navruz serves to strengthen solidarity and friendship. Its value is especially relevant today when the whole planet very needed peace and tranquility, mutual understanding between nations, a genuine agreement between the representatives of different faiths.
