Nauryz

Tonight we are flying to Thailand for our spring break but before we get on the plane and fly to a tropical paradise we decided to take our girls downtown to see what festivities they had going on in honor of Nauryz.

Yurts by Khan Shatyr (the huge tent right behind us)

Nauryz is a Kazakh New Year – a symbol of the spring renewal, love, abundance and friendship. Traditionally, people used to wear holiday outfits and fill all vessels in the house with water, milk or grain to increase the odds of a good harvest and prosperity. Home cleaning and the planting of trees and flowers several days before the holiday is also an important ritual. It is believed that if Nauryz is celebrated in a clean house, it will protect the hosts from misfortunes and illnesses during the year.The word “Nauryz” has Persian origins and literally translates as “a new day.

 

Kazakhs in their national costumes

The celebration usually includes fairs, traditional sports like Kazakh wrestling, horse racing, dancing and singing. Nauryz is celebrated during 21-23 of March but this year most of the festivities will take place on the 22^nd of March, so we’ll miss them all.

 

Rope swings - traditional fun activity during Nauryz

Today though they had a little concert going on by Khan Shatyr, and it was fun. We watched two performances before we went on to checking some other things. Maybe next year we can fully experience the holiday!

One of the bands performing a popular song.

And of course our kids couldn't pass this great opportunity!

Lina and Veronika

Lexa and Sophie

Lexa and Sophie. We hope to see this traditional game live sometime. It is when a young man first trying to kiss a girl on a galloping horse, and if he is not successful, she will chase him and whip him!