January 1 - 2 – New Year
March 8 – International Women Day
March 22 – Nauryz
May 1 – Kazakhstan Nations Unity Holiday
May 9 – Victory Day
July 6 – Day of the capital
August 30 – Constitution Day
October 25 – Repiblic Day
December 16 - Independence Day
Together with these official holidays, religious holidays are widely observed: Kurban Bayram and Ramadan among Muslims, Easter and Christmas among Ñhristians. There are many less significant days which,while not public holidays like the ones listed above, are marked with outdoor markets, festivals, fireworks and other entertainments. Interestingly, it was only after gaining independence that the Kazakhs began celebrating the ancient festival of Nauryz again, after à 70-year interruption. The Soviets banned Nauryz, considering it too religious. In fact, this unjustly forgotten holiday is not of religious origin at all, Nauryz has its roots in paganism In ancient times people believed that on the first day of spring (as the name of the holiday translates from Persian), angels and thå spirits of the dead descended în earth to bless the chosen ones. It was our ancestors fàvîurite holiday because it lasted longer than all the others à whole month! All through the month people paid each other visits, forgave wrongs, cancelled debts, and exempted slaves from their usual duties.