Day of Memory in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Memory Day

In 1999, on May 9th, the “Square of Memorial” was officially opened in Tashkent, and since then the day has been celebrated as the national holiday known as the Day of Memory and Remembrance.

This day plays an important role in preserving national values, honoring the bravery and patriotism of ancestors, and showing respect to the older generation.

Also known as Memorial Day in Uzbekistan, it honors the sacrifices made by earlier generations that laid the foundation for today’s peace. The Uzbek SSR played a vital role during World War II, despite the heavy price it paid.

While hundreds of thousands of Uzbek men fought on the front lines, women and the elderly worked tirelessly at home. The region also welcomed many wartime migrants. By the end of the conflict, over 450,000 Uzbek soldiers and civilians had lost their lives.

On May 9, people across Uzbekistan join others in the post-Soviet region in expressing gratitude to veterans. Memorial concerts, charity events, and award ceremonies are held, especially in honor of WWII survivors. Fresh flowers are laid at war monuments, and moments of silence are observed in towns and cities alike.

Every Uzbek who died in World War II is honored at the Walk of Fame and Memory at Independence Square in Tashkent. This path leads to a bronze statue of a Mourning Mother crying before an eternal flame — symbolizing both individual grief and the collective sorrow of the nation.