Navro’z and the Renewal of Uzbek National Culture

UZIN Paper nº 4 (2014)

The main point I want to make in this article is relatively simple: Navro’z is an important holiday in contemporary Uzbekistan not just because of its profound popularity, but also as an exemplary case of a broader phenomenon of post-Soviet cultural renewal. National holidays are often used by states as conscious expressions of national identity, but Navro’z is an especially felicitous case to examine in a post-independence context since, as a New Year holiday, it is inherently a celebration of renewal. Furthermore, the holiday is one that the people themselves would celebrate even without any direction from the state, which is not the ca cultural elements to the celebration of Navro’z in Uzbekistan.