Christmas in Uzbekistan
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Christmas (locally known as Rojdestvo, from the Russian word for Christmas), commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is not an official holiday in Uzbekistan. Out of a population of 35 million, approximately 2.2 percent is Russian Orthodox.[1] Since fall of the Soviet Union, this number has continued to decline as ethnic Russians and other Orthodox Christians emigrate to other countries. The Christians of Uzbekistan celebrate Christmas on 25 December in the Julian calendar used by the church, which falls on 7 January in the common Gregorian calendar.
Much like in the rest of the Soviet Union, Christmas was largely erased from the calendar during much of the 20th century under the Soviet's anti-religious policies, but many of its traditions survived having been transplanted to New Year's.[2] Christmas is still eclipsed by New Year's Day in Uzbekistan, which remains a major holiday even among Christians.
Christmas symbols and decorations similar to those found in Europe or the US can be seen on the streets of main cities, but for a majority of the population Christmas is simply a part of New Year celebrations.[3] Many people, including Muslims, decorate a Christmas tree, even though they do not celebrate Christmas and call the tree New Year's tree (Uzbek: Yangi yil archasi).[4]
References[edit]
- ↑ "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uzbekistan". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ↑ "Uzbekistan: To New Year or not to New Year?". Eurasianet. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ↑ "Christmas in Tashkent after the wounds of Soviet atheism". PIME. 23 December 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ↑ Uzbekistan Country Study Guide: Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments. Washington, D.C.: International Business Publications. 2015. p. 60. ISBN 1-4387-8453-8. Search this book on
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