Kazakhstani Uyghurs Embrace Nowruz with Joy and Cultural Pride

In Kazakhstan, the Uyghur community joined their counterparts in neighboring countries in celebrating the Nowruz Festival with great enthusiasm this year.

Following East Turkistan (aka China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region), Kazakhstan hosts the largest Uyghur population, particularly concentrated in the Almaty, Jetisu provinces, and the southern regions of the country. These communities, along with other ethnic groups, organized various festivities from March 21 to 23.

Nevruz, also known as Nowruz, Nawroz, or Norooz, is celebrated on the vernal equinox, typically on March 21st, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time for renewal, celebration of nature, and the ushering in of a new year for many people, especially in Central Asia, the Middle East, and some parts of the Balkans and South Asia. This year, Kazakhstan marked the occasion with a 10-day event from March 14 to March 23, assigning a special theme to each day.

Ms. Nurjamal Hasanova, President of the Uyghur Ethno-Cultural Center in the Enbekshikazakh District of Almaty Province, highlighted the importance of the Nevruz Festival. She pointed out that it is a significant celebration that can inspire future generations, reinforce patriotic feelings, and strengthen cultural ties.

In recent years, there have been international concerns regarding the treatment of Uyghurs in China, including reports of mass detentions, cultural suppression, and human rights abuses. As a result, the situation of Uyghurs has gained global attention, prompting discussions on human rights, cultural preservation, and the international community's response.

In Kazakhstan, where a significant Uyghur diaspora resides, the celebration of Nevruz is not only a cultural festivity but also an act of preserving and showcasing Uyghur heritage and identity amid these challenges.

By Dilshat Sultan

March 27 2024