The following holidays are official ones.
All government agencies, schools, banks and most workplaces are closed on these
days. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following day also becomes
a day-off.
Event
Date
Description
New Years Day
1 Jan
Christmass trees, gifts, fireworks. Celebrating the start
of the New Year. Very similar to western Christmass. Most of labour surviving
their hangover.
Constitution Day
28 Jan
Commemorating the establishment of the Constitution of
the Kazakhstan Republic. Street festivals. Parades, fireworks.
Int. women's day
8 March
Flowers, perfume and chocolate for women. The males do all
house works. Women also get special attention and usually
receive flowers and a gift.
Nauryz
22 March
Asian "New Year". Equinox. Street festival. Family
celebtrations.
Labour day
1 May
Labor Day, commemorating Kazakhstani workers. Street festivals,
parades.
Victory day
9 May
Commemoration of Soviet Union victory over Germany
in WWII. Military parade. Greeting veterans.
Republic Day
25 Oct
Celebrating the national day. Street festivals.
Independance day
16 Dec
Commemoration of obtaining independence from SU. Street festivals,
fireworks.
Note: Some Muslim festivals fall on different dates
every year. Like Uraza and Kurban are timed according to local
sightings of various phases of the moon. The exact dates are established by
a decree of the President.
The Kazakhstani people also celebrate following
religious holidays you should be aware of.
Russian Ortodox Easter
An Orthodox celebration of the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated
on the second Sunday in April. Charch visiting. Baking special bread "Kulich"
Uraza (Ramadan)
Begins the first day of the month of Ramadan in
the Islamic calendar, a month of daytime fasting. The fast is observed as
a celebration of thanksgiving as well as a way of gaining social empathy-
feeling the pain of those less fortunate people who do not have enough food.
(Practiced by southerners more than by northerners.)
Kurban
The feast of Breaking Fast, the end of Ramadan.
People organize big feasts and celebrate with family and friends.
In addition to official holidays and days-off there are also
some popular holidays that are celebrated by local folks.
Feb 14. St.Valentine's Day
A day to exchange love cards between couples and friends to
show how much you appreciate your second half. Mostly celebrated by young
people.
Feb 23. Men's Day
Formerly the official Soviet Army Day in the Soviet
Union. Men get special attention and usually receive gifts from women.
Apr 1. April Fool's Day
A day for playing harmless jokes on others.
Note: International organisations and foreign embassies
are closed on both Kazakh and their respective national holidays. Make sure
you plan your visits to places and other activities in advance.
