Astana – The Republic of Kazakhstan is celebrating this year a special occasion dear to the hearts of the Kazakh people, and many people around the world: the annual Nauryz holiday. The celebrations will feature over 1,500 events nationwide. The festivities, known as the “Nauryznama Decade,” will last for ten days, beginning on March 14 and ending on March 23. The celebrations include large cultural gatherings, traditional costumes, and folk games.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underscored the cultural significance of the ten-day Nauryz celebration, the promotion of national clothing and the ongoing development of the Abai Institute during his speech at the National Kurultai on March 14 in Burabai.
Significance of the Nauryz
Tokayev highlighted the significance of the Nauryz celebration, which has now expanded to a ten-day observance, beginning on March 14 with the Amal holiday. Each day of the celebration is dedicated to a specific theme, which has been well-received by the public. The Day of National Clothing has sparked widespread interest in traditional attire, making it more common in schools, workplaces and companies. This increased demand has led to the opening of sewing workshops and the emergence of new brands and stores, boosting the revival of Kazakh heritage.
“Rather than dressing in black robes that conceal your face, it is much better to wear clothes in a national style. Our national clothes clearly emphasize our ethnic identity, so we need to popularize it in every possible way,” said Tokayev emphasizing the cultural importance of wearing national clothing.
Nauryznama can also become a key tourist brand of the country, similar to the carnivals in Rio de Janeiro, cherry blossom season in Japan, Holi festival in India, Oktoberfest in Germany, the San Fermín festival or La ا
Names and Meanings
Nauryz is a holiday that celebrates spring and the New Year according to the solar astronomical calendar of Persian and Turkic-speaking nations. Historically, Nauryznama is the cultural heritage of the Kazakh people, rooted in millennia. The tradition of celebrating Nauryz in Kazakh culture has never been limited to one day. If Nauryz is an international holiday celebrated in Central Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans, then Nauryznama is a traditional folk holiday of the Great Steppe, lasting at least eight days.
The new ten-day format, introduced in 2024 on the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, formalizes this tradition, with each day carrying a special theme: March 14 – Amal Holiday (Korisu): Day of greetings and renewal after the long winter; March 15 – Kayrymdylyk: Day of charity, mercy, and good neighborliness; March 16 – Shanyrak: Family values day; March 17 – Day of culture, art and national traditions; March 18 – National Costume Day; March 19 – Janaru: Renewal Day; March 20 – National Sports Day; March 21 – Yntymak: Solidarity Day; March 22 – Jyl Basy: New Year; and March 23 – Tazaru: Day of a pure mind and intentions.
National Traditions
Nauryznama reflects national traditions and values. The holiday’s new logo, featuring three tulips, symbolizes Kazakhstan’s past, present, and future.
This year’s festivities will include the Kamazhai national dance flash mob in Astana, the Nauryz-Arbat project in the Akmola Region featuring artisans and creative industry representatives, a 1,000-woman procession in Kokshetau, a parade of national costumes in Aktobe, and many other events.
