Nauryz is a very important holiday for Kazakhs, which marks the beginning of a new year. It is celebrated several days starting from 21st of March, the day of the spring equinox. Nauryz means ‘new day’, it is celebrated in the Great Steppes from ancient times.
Nauryz is a spring holiday traditional for the Turkic nations which is not directly related to religious customs. Nauryz is celebrated on the days of the spring equinox. According to an ancient custom, before the holiday, people should clean their houses and around, as well as pay off their debts.
The biggest shanyraks (roof of the yurt), inovative yurts, delicious Nauryz Kozhe (National cold ilk drink) and baursaks (Kazakh puffy breads) take places on the main squares of all around Kazakhstan.
Nauryz in Kazakhstan is officially celebrated for three days – March 21-23. These days are public holidays. This year the holiday falls in the middle of the week, so Monday, March 20, was a working day, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 21, 22 and 23, will be days off, and Friday, March 24, will be a working day again. After Kazakhstanis with a five-day working week, two more days off are expected.
