Nauryz Meiramy - Spring Renewal holiday

March 20, 2023

According to the Eastern calendar, Nauryz is the first day of the new year, coincides with the day of the vernal equinox. For the people of Kazakhstan, this holiday is a symbol of spring renewal, the celebration of love, fertility and friendship.

"Nauryz" means "the birth of spring". In Kazakhstan, Nauryz has been officially celebrated as a public holiday since 1999. In 2009, Nauryz was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and a year later the UN General Assembly recognized March 21 as the International Nauryz Day.

In accordance with the ancient tradition, the main treat during Nauryz meirama is Nauryz-kozhe. It consists of 7 ingredients symbolizing the 7 elements of life. These are water, meat, salt, fat, flour, cereals (rice, corn or wheat) and milk. In the popular view, they symbolize joy, luck, wisdom, health, well-being, speed, growth and divine protection. Also, traditionally, on the eve of Nauryz, one should repay debts, forgive insults - that is, leave all the troubles in the old year, forget about the bad.

Nowadays Nauryz meiramy has become a national holiday of spring, labor and unity. Today, this holiday is equally dear to all peoples living in multinational Kazakhstan. The ancient holiday of Nauryz has been harmoniously transformed into modern life, preserving the continuity of ancient traditions.

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