Express review: How did the neighbors celebrate the New Year?
KYRGYZSTAN. In Bishkek, the main New Year celebrations were held on the main square of the country – Ala-Too. The local press writes that more than a thousand people participated in the festivities. Kyrgyzstan celebrated the New Year cheerfully – the capital's mayor's office organized a festive concert that ran from eight o'clock in the evening to midnight.
The audience was not allowed to be bored by singers, dance groups and Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden, with whom anyone could communicate. The main Christmas tree of the country is especially beautiful this year. In addition to thousands of toys, it was decorated with almost ten kilometers of garlands.
Many people came to celebrate the New Year in the square with their whole family. Their festive mood was not overshadowed even by the lack of fireworks – this year, as in the past, the city authorities decided to abandon it, stating that it was done in favor of the environment.
The festivities in the square continued after midnight. Public transport was open until five in the morning, so it was possible to get home without problems.
New Year 2024 in Kyrgyzstan will be celebrated until January 7 as an official holiday. These days, Kyrgyzstanis will enjoy various events – concerts, fairs and ice skating, etc.
In his address to the people, the President of the country said: "In the past year, we have done everything to strengthen positive changes in all spheres of life of our citizens. In the coming year, we will continue the course of changes that create a prosperous Kyrgyzstan!"
KAZAKHSTAN. In 2024, the country has established additional non-working days for the New Year - from December 30 to January 2 inclusive. Thus, Kazakhstanis have a rest for the New Year for four days in a row.
In Astana, the main event at the EXPO was a festive fireworks display. It thundered at exactly midnight – more than a thousand shots. After that, a concert was organized for residents and guests of the capital.
The capital of Kazakhstan also hosted the Astana — the City of the Future festival, which featured light and laser shows, fireworks, etc. An ice rink, as well as several slides and photo zones are located on the territory of the town.
And the former capital of Kazakhstan hosted the Almaty Winter Fairy Tale festival, which featured national and international cultural programs, concerts, fairs and attractions.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his New Year's address to Kazakhstanis noted: "We look forward to every new day, we expect only good things from every new year. Whether our dreams come true, whether our plans come true, depends only on ourselves. Most importantly, we must value harmony, peace and stability in the country. Unity elevates the spirit of the people. As the great Abai said, unity must be in the minds. We need to preserve unity and work hard for the sake of preserving the statehood and prosperity of our sacred Homeland."
TAJIKISTAN. The long-awaited, beloved holiday was celebrated by the Tajiks at Independence Square in Dushanbe. Several thousand people gathered around the main Christmas tree. Even citizens from remote parts of the republic came here for the holiday.
Although the long-awaited snow did not fall on New Year's Eve, it did not affect the mood in any way. Everyone was having fun and dancing. The main festive concert was also held here. Famous creative teams and pop artists performed on the stage.
Various events dedicated to the New Year were held in cities and regions of Tajikistan. For example, a festival was held in Dushanbe, which included concerts, contests, flash mobs and fireworks.
The festival "New Year in the style of folk tales" was held in Khujand, where national cultural programs, exhibitions, theatrical productions and folk games were shown.
A unique festival "New Year in the style of an Oriental fairy tale" was held in Kurgan-Tube, where the atmosphere and rituals of the medieval East were recreated.
In his New Year's address, President Emomali Rahmon called on compatriots: "In the new year and in the following years, we must make every effort to strengthen state independence, honor national values, develop self-knowledge and self-awareness, further enhance the international status of our country, we must work more together and mobilize all our efforts to fulfill the highest patriotic mission that is , the improvement of the Homeland and the development of the Tajik state!"
UZBEKISTAN. A grandiose festival "New Year in disco style" was held in Tashkent, which gathered thousands of citizens and guests of the capital. A huge Christmas tree decorated with glowing balls and stars was installed on Amir Temur Square. Concerts, contests, flash mobs and fireworks were held to the incendiary music of the 70s and 80s.
Samarkand hosted the traditional festival "New Year on Registan", which is dedicated to the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. National dishes, costumes, crafts and arts were presented on the historical square. The guests of the festival were offered the opportunity to visit museums, madrassas and mausoleums, as well as participate in master classes and quizzes.
A unique festival "New Year in the Ark Fortress" took place in Bukhara, which recreated the atmosphere of the medieval East. Tents were set up on the territory of the ancient fortress, where you could taste oriental sweets, tea, coffee and fragrant spices. Exhibitions, theatrical performances, folk games and dances were also organized.
According to the decree of the President of Uzbekistan, New Year holidays last from December 30 to January 2 inclusive. For employees with a five-day working week, the days off are postponed from January 6 to January 2, from December 14 to December 30.
In his New Year's greetings to the people of Uzbekistan, President of the Republic Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that: "The issues of creating new jobs and increasing incomes of the population will be in the center of attention. Salaries, pensions, scholarships and allowances will be increased. We will continue to fully support women and representatives of the older generation, all those who need help and assistance. Let's take the development of the social sphere to a whole new level!"
...It is worth noting that in the Central Asian states, in addition to the traditional New Year holiday, the New Year will be celebrated in the third decade of March and according to the Eastern calendar - Novruz. It is an ancient celebration of spring and renewal, which is accompanied by traditional rituals, games, songs and dances. People will cook and treat each other with festive dishes, which symbolize abundance and well-being.
The New Year's holiday, which is familiar to us, is celebrated in different countries and continents. But it's not the same everywhere. In Iran, Turkey and some other countries, the new year is celebrated twice – from December 31 to January 1 (modestly and not particularly bulging by European standards) and on the holiday of the vernal equinox Novruz (everywhere, on a large scale with mass festivities and multi- day weekends).
And in Israel, the New Year is celebrated without much pathos, in a family circle or in a friendly campaign, mainly by immigrants from the former Soviet republics.
In the countries of the Hindu-Buddhist region, it is also not customary to celebrate the New Year according to the European calendar, although you can find elegant Christmas trees in hotels where many tourists rest.
And in some kingdoms of the Muslim East, celebrating the traditional New year for Western countries is prohibited even at the official level. Although if you celebrate at home in a narrow family circle, it will not be a criminally prosecuted violation.
The Muslim New Year falls on the day when the community, together with the Prophet Muhammad, moved from Mecca to Yasrib in 622 – since then this city has been called Medina (al-Madina an- Nabawiya – the City of the Prophet). Hindus and Buddhists celebrate the new year according to the ancient lunar, solar or lunisolar calendars.
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