This photo shows the New Year's dinner table of Kurbanoy Atakulova's family, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)
TASHKENT, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- On New Year's Eve, the streets of Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, come alive with festive lights and vibrant decorations. From lively public squares to cozy family gatherings, the city embraces the holiday spirit with traditions and feasts reflecting the warmth of Uzbek culture.
On Dec. 31, Uzbek families prepare a variety of dishes, salads, and desserts to adorn their New Year's tables.
Traditional dishes such as samsa, khanum, manti, and kebabs are usually prepared on this occasion. Samsa is a bun stuffed with meat and vegetables, khanum is a steamed flour dish filled with potatoes or meat, and manti consists of spiced meat wrapped in thin dough.
The "Olivier" salad is a staple of the holiday feast. In Tashkent and nearby regions, a special dish called "naryn," a cold salad combining fresh noodles and meat, is also prepared.
"The New Year isn't just another holiday," said Kurbanoy Atakulova, a pensioner from the Tashkent region. "It's a grand celebration that opens doors to a new life and brings dreams closer."
"In our family, there's an ancient tradition: Whoever sets the New Year table abundantly will have a prosperous year ahead. That's why I always advise my children and grandchildren to welcome the New Year with joy and gratitude," Atakulova said.
On the holiday, families decorate New Year trees at home and prepare delicious dishes for their table. At midnight, family members gather around the table to welcome the New Year. Fireworks light up the sky, and everyone makes wishes for the upcoming year. Relatives and friends visit each other's homes as part of a family tradition.
Mastura Khasanova, a Tashkent resident, mentioned that such visits typically last for three days.
"New Year is one of the biggest holidays for our family," she said. "On this day, I start preparing the most delicious dishes. I give my husband and children new clothes to wear on the holiday. We visit friends and relatives and host them at our home, dancing to music and expressing gratitude for the past year while making plans for the new one."
For some families, New Year is a rare opportunity to gather around one table. Alijon Uskenov, a law enforcement officer, spends little time with his family due to work commitments. For him, New Year is a special occasion to be with his loved ones.
"I love being with my family, seeing the joy of my children, wife, and parents. That's why, on New Year's Eve, I gather everyone at one table and give them the gifts I've bought. We talk until morning, discuss plans, and reflect on what we achieved over the past year," he said.
For Uzbeks, the New Year is not just a time to celebrate, it is a moment to unite, give thanks, and look forward with hope and determination. ■
Kurbanoy Atakulova (C) and her family sit by the New Year's dinner table in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)
Kurbanoy Atakulova (C) and her family sit by the New Year's dinner table in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)