Day of Defenders in Uzbekistan

Day of Defenders of Motherland

This holiday in independent Uzbekistan is celebrated in honor of the creation of its own Army forces. In Uzbekistan, January 14 is marked as the Day of Defenders of the Motherland.

It is the professional holiday of military personnel because on 14 January 1992 the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan were officially established.

Uzbekistan’s Defenders Day is considered a major public holiday in the country, though it is not a day off. Women often give presents and postcards to male relatives, even to those who never served in the military. Schoolboys may also receive small gifts from classmates.

In recent years, the holiday has evolved into a broader “Men’s Day,” similar in spirit to International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8th.

The holiday is seen as an opportunity to honor the contributions of men and fathers to Uzbek society.

The defenders of peace and calm — Uzbekistan's servicemen — are widely celebrated. The country takes pride in its peace and stability.

On this day, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Emergencies, National Security Service, and the State Customs Committee gather at Independence Square.

Accompanied by a military orchestra, these defenders lay flowers at the Monument of Independence and Kindness - a symbol of Uzbekistan’s sovereignty and future.