Grand celebrations, dedicated to the national holiday Navruz, took place at the Alisher Navoiy National Park in Tashkent.

Navruz, representing from time immemorial the best national values and traditions of our people, their good intentions and aspirations, which are an invaluable heritage of our ancestors, has become in the years of independence a truly national holiday, which all our fellow citizens, regardless of nationality, language and religion look forward to.

In accordance with the decree of the Head of our state "On preparing and holding the national holiday Navruz in 2016" a comprehensive preparation for the holiday has been carried out across the country. Our people are meeting the holiday with new successes, express gratitude for the bright days and enjoy life.

21 March. The Alisher Navoiy National Park of Uzbekistan acquired a festive decoration.

It gathered the members of the Senate and Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, the government, figures of science, culture and arts, advanced people of the production sphere, entrepreneurs, representatives of embassies of foreign nations and international organizations, accredited in our country, the youth.

At 10:30 President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov enters the square and is greeted by standing applause.

President Islam Karimov delivered a keynote speech at the celebrations dedicated to the Navruz.

These days, when the nature awakens, flowers blossom and the entire surrounding is attired in green, I am greatly pleased from the bottom of my heart to congratulate you, my dear fellow countrymen, and in your person, our whole nation on arrival in our country of the holiday of Navruz – the season of rejuvenation and renovation, and express to all of you my deep respect and sincere wishes, said the Head of our state.

Celebration of peace, welfare and prosperity

Navruz is the Oriental New Year with a history of several millennia, which traces back its roots to the period of «Avesto», the ancient and truly national holiday – far from any politics, when the day equals the night. This is our most beloved and most beautiful festival of spring, which has deeply penetrated to the nature of our nation and people, their mind and mentality, heart and consciousness.

It is exactly in this unmatched and captivating season, when the breath of greenery and fine breeze arrive, and the sprouts blossom, we feel as if the song of spring flows into the human soul and being. All of us feel ourselves rejuvenated and filled with strength and power, inspiration and courage. In brief, we feel ourselves to be an inalienable and inseparable part of nature.

In these radiant and joyful moments our fellow countrymen gather around the dastarkhans (festively laid national table) decorated with such rare viands as sumalak, khalim, kuksomsa and guja, and strive to share these springtime edibles with their family, kin and friends in each and every community, foothills, gardens and grasslands of our country.

No one will remain indifferent that our people, irrespective of their nationality and ethnicity, indulge in festive mood and spend this wonderful holiday with profound joy and bliss. And they congratulate on such an occasion not only the people they know, but also strangers by embracing and wishing them a sound health, happiness, prosperity and good luck.

Availing myself of these moments as well, I would like to express my sincere wishes, love and esteem to you, my dears, who have gathered in this sublime and beautiful square, and our entire nation, said Islam Karimov.

The immortal spirit and values of Navruz are carefully passed from generation to generation. No matter how many years and epochs pass by, these very idea and customs are still leaving a deep trace and becoming stronger in the mentality and consciousness of our people.

It is well-known from our millennia-old history, said President Islam Karimov: in the season of Navruz various discords and enmities, resentments and quarrels are forgotten, such humane feelings as mercy and clemency, compassion and generosity become stronger among people, nations and ethnicities.

Celebration of peace, welfare and prosperity

In this regard, let us imagine: if we return to preventing the tensions, conflicts and confrontations ever aggravating now in the international arena, and still ongoing bloodshed, as well as resolving the emerging problems only by way of peace and political negotiations –speaking with our people’s words – the world would be a perfect place to live.

I am confident that in these days on the eve of the Oriental New Year, if someone asks our time-tested, kind-hearted and compassionate people, who endured so many hardships and always preserve virtue and mercy in the depth of their hearts, about their most sincere wishes in the coming year – the answer, without any doubt, will be certain: we need peace and prosperity, President Karimov said.

The reason and roots of such unity can be seen, above all, in our ancient history, multifaceted great culture, invaluable heritage left by our great scientists and thinkers, who greatly contributed to the progress of human civilization, and in the fact that for many centuries our Homeland has been the center of spirituality and enlightenment.

Moreover, it is an open secret that from the earliest times such qualities pertaining to our people as magnanimity, tolerance, humaneness, kindness, and such characteristics as performing noble deeds and providing righteous services in supporting those in need, receiving the blessings of elderly people, showing concern for ones without parental care, have penetrated deep into the flesh and blood of our nation.

All these phenomena have been passed through the centuries from generation to generation, enriched and eventually turned into kind human ideas, laid a solid foundation for spiritual worldview and practical guideline of our people.

Naturally, our nation, who has such noble and rare features and qualities, lives with pure dreams and aspirations, strives for peace and prosperity, wishes for clear and blue sky, no doubt, will build its relations with near and far neighbors on the basis of mutual respect, friendship and accord, consideration of mutual interests. And our nation regards safeguarding our country and people from any evils and threats as its priority task.

In these joyous moments, on your behalf and on behalf of our entire nation, allow me to congratulate on the holiday of Navruz, express sincere respect and wholeheartedly welcome the ambassadors of foreign countries, representatives of international organizations, foreign partners and all our dear guests, who are showing their profound esteem to us and participating at our Navruz festivities in this beautiful square, said Islam Karimov.

Welcoming you, my dears, who have gathered today in this sublime square, I see in your person, above all, our humble, generous and big-hearted people, who are greatly contributing by their courageous work and steadfastness to make Uzbekistan more prosperous and flourishing, who are making the world community surprise by their accomplishments and achievements. Standing on this high rostrum, I bow low before and render homage to our people, who feature such noble qualities.

Addressing the Uzbekistan’s youth, President Karimov stressed: the severely changing time that we experience and which is becoming more complicated puts forward before all of us the following tasks: first of all, my dear children, you are required to thoroughly master the modern knowledge and professions, utilize the intellectual wealth. Along with this, the time requires to take the competitiveness of our country in the international arena to a new level, continue modernization and diversification of our economy, and turn it into a locomotive of our progress. Addressing the youth of Uzbekistan - our support and hope, Islam Karimov said: the current rapidly changing difficult time in which we live, has set all of our people, especially in front of you, my dear children, such urgent tasks as deep development of modern knowledge and professions, intellectual wealth, further enhancing the country's competitiveness in the international arena, upgrade, modernization and diversification of the economy, its transformation into a locomotive of our development.

Along the path of achieving these very great objectives, I believe that you, my dears, are able to justify the confidence of our people and Motherland, and I stand ready to always support all of you, stressed the President of our country.

At the end of his speech, Islam Karimov once again once again congratulated people of Uzbekistan on the holiday of Navruz and wished all compatriots peace and tranquility, happiness and good health, prosperity and abundance.

... The bright sun is shining on a clear sky. Huge balloons are floating in the sky around the majestic square. Colourful flags, vivid flowers are pleasing to the eye.

Verdant trees, flower decorations around a scene remind of the abundant gardens and fertile fields of our country. This familiar picture, close to the heart of each of our compatriot, gives an upbeat mood.

Karnay and surnay sounds reverberate around the square. In such a life-affirming moment, the hearts of our compatriots, whose aspirations and thoughts are in tune with natural processes of awakening, are overwhelmed with joy, boundless gratitude for being once again fortunate to meet Navruz in health, for a peaceful and prosperous life.

Navruz is a herald of everything new, virtuous. March 29 2015, a few days after Navruz, was an important political event in the life of our country: the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were held. In this process, which took place in full accordance with democratic principles, 90.39 percent of constituents voted for Islam Karimov. This suggests that our people adequately assess the enormous contribution of Islam Karimov in comprehensive development of our country, in building a democratic state and civil society, and in improving the quality of life, and support the continuation of ongoing reforms in all spheres.

Celebration of peace, welfare and prosperity

... Under the sounds of beautiful melodies, arousing spring mood in the hearts, beautiful nature and modern look of our country, the unique ancient monuments and magnificent buildings, well-equipped and prosperous towns and villages appear before our eyes.

Folk songs of the folklore and ethnographic ensembles can be heard. Sumalak in large ovens is under preparation, hot cakes are taken out from tandyrs, the young men and women are singing and dancing.

Peace and tranquillity, interethnic accord are recognized as the supreme values in Uzbekistan. The atmosphere of kindness, mercy, harmony and generosity is set our society.

Due to the peace and stability, the prestige of our country in the international community has been on the rise. Most developed countries, leading international organizations cooperate with Uzbekistan.

Another proof of this is an official visit to our country in June 2015 of the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

Uzbekistan's initiatives on promoting peace and security in the region, the fight against terrorism and organized crime, environmental issues, health promotion, development of science, culture and art are widely supported by the UN. Our country has effectively cooperated with the organization and a number of its agencies.

Organized on the initiative of the President of our country, an international music festival "Sharq taronalari" was held for the tenth time in 2015. This musical forum, held under the auspices of UNESCO, serves to the development of cultural dialogue among peoples, peace and tranquillity.

Our country is committed to the course of peace. Peace is a main factor of development. Where there is peace and tranquillity, there is development, people live with the spirit of creativity, kindness. This is confirmed by the stable growth of our country.

During the years of independence, Uzbekistan's economy grew by almost 6 times, real income per capita by over 9 times. Against the background of the ongoing global financial and economic crisis, our country is among the few countries in the world, demonstrating steady growth. The GDP growth rate has exceeded 8 percent over the past eleven years. A balance of macroeconomic indicators, the sustainable surplus of the State budget and balance of payments, growth of export and foreign exchange reserves have been ensured.

This is the result of the "Uzbek model" of development, initiated by the President of our country and fully supported by our people. It is widely recognized in the world. These achievements, which are the results of selfless labour of our people, are recognized worldwide. International expert organizations, prestigious rating agencies appreciated the current state and prospects of development of our country.

Last year the World Economic Forum in Switzerland declared a ranking of countries with rapidly growing economies. Uzbekistan ranked fifth among countries with the highest annual growth in 2014-2017 years on the basis World Bank's "World Economic Development Report".

Structural reforms, modernization, technical and technological renovation of the sectors of the economy have been consistently continuing. In 2015 investments of 15,8 bln. US dollars have been attracted from all sources. Furthermore, 158 large industrial facilities worth 7,4 bln. US dollars have been commissioned.

Construction of the Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex worth over $ 4 billion in cooperation with South Korean investors and experts, commissioning of the high-speed electric Afrosibiyob trains on Samarkand – Karshi rail line gives us great satisfaction and pride.

Growth and development in all areas are also reflected in the reconstructed appearance of our country. Large-scale creative works are carried out in towns and villages. Last year dozens of modern multi-storey buildings, new roads and bridges were built in Tashkent. In the countryside 12 000 houses on standard projects have been constructed. As a result of this work the face of our cities and villages is changing, the quality of life of the people is improving.

According to the program of support of the youth, young families receive apartments in “Kamolot” houses, which is serving as an enormous backing in finding a worthy place in life, raising children as harmoniously developed individuals.

Such inherent qualities of our people as kindness, compassion, magnanimity and generosity are vividly presented during the days of Navruz. People visit each other, venerable aksakals and mothers get special attention and honor.

Announcement on the initiative of the President of our country of the Year of attention and care for the older generation further increased the efficiency of works on provision of respect and honour to the elderly, moral and material support to the veterans, strengthening their health, creating them even more convenience.

... Children come onto the scene and it is filled with their joyful laughter. Merry songs, fiery dances lift festive mood even more.

These are children, who were born in the years of independence and have grown up healthy and strong due to the special attention and care of the state. The idea that our children should be a stronger, better educated, wiser, and certainly happier than us has become a priority in Uzbekistan.

Under the guidance of the President of our country, special attention was paid to upbringing healthy generation in the first years of independence, and this noble work continues sequentially. All conditions for strengthening maternal health, birth and formation of healthy children are created. Reforms to improve the quality of life, improvement of health systems, and development of children's sports serve these high goals.

Formation of our young people, not inferior in anything and to anyone, is also evident in international competitions and contests. Last year alone our athletes participated in 165 international competitions, winning 983 medals. Young musicians and artists won 137 prizes at prestigious international competitions.

At the initiative of the President of our country they year 2016 has been declared as the Year of a healthy mother and child, which served as yet another clear demonstration of special attention to this sphere.

- Navruz is celebrated in Uzbekistan with great celebration and joy, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to our country Fumihiko Kato. - It is noteworthy that your national traditions are perceived with great pride by the people, especially the youth. We were very pleased with the consistent development of cooperation between our countries in all spheres in the spirit of friendship and mutual trust. Taking this opportunity, I congratulate the people of Uzbekistan on Navruz!

... Festive celebration are in full swing. The the central festive occasion has been broadcast to different parts of the world via communication satellites.

The Navruz festivities, holiday sayils continue in towns and villages, throughout the entire nation.

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