Article
  21 Феврал 2025 / 106

FEBRUARY 23 - MEN’S DAY

(ARMY DAY)

The 23 of February is celebrated as the Men’s Day in Tajikistan. This Holiday is also known as the Army Day and Defenders of Fatherland Day.

If we were to briefly describe what February 23 means for people in the former Soviet Union, we would say: it’s the men’s equivalent of International Women’s Day. Only, unlike March 8, which has been adopted from the West, February 23 is an entirely Soviet Union invention.

Over many years, the date has repeatedly changed in significance and, in the end, it has evolved into one of the two gender-based holidays (the other one, as you can guess, is International Women’s Day). In the same way as March 8 is associated for a vast majority of people in Tajikistan with flowers, candy and gift vouchers from a cosmetics store rather than the struggle for equality, in the popular imagination, February 23 goes hand in hand with little cute presents like socks and shaving cream.

On this day women congratulate men and present them with gifts. The day is usually a public holiday with all the general population, schools and businesses are closed. This year it falls on a Sunday with some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours.

Army Day

The celebration of the 23 of February is also the celebration of Army Day. Tajikistan army was established on December 18, 1992 the Decision of the Board of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan “On the Establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan” and the decision on the immediate leadership, centralized management and mobilization of the armed forces of military structures in order to stabilize the political situation as soon as possible and ensure national security and the protection of rights and freedoms of citizens was adopted, the leadership of which was entrusted to the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan[1].

What Do People Do?

Many people observe February 23 as Men’s Day because military service is obligatory for most men in Tajikistan. Women often give presents and postcards to their masculine relatives, including those who never served in the military. On a workday before or after the holiday, many women also congratulate their male colleagues, and schoolboys may receive small presents from their feminine classmates.

Public Life

Defender of the Fatherland Day is also celebrated throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States. Most schools, banks, and official buildings are closed on this day. Public transport services may vary in cities that hold a parade. In Tajikistan there is a parade of the Armed Forces that sometimes takes place. The

Tajikistan authorities may organize local parades to honor the military and veterans on this day. It is becoming more common for women who serve in the military to be honored on this day, and this challenges the traditionally masculine aspect of the holiday.

Generally, the army day is celebrated in a warm and family atmosphere with many army veterans celebrating the holiday in the restaurants and parks.

Ozod Sadulloev - researcher of the Department of USA and Canada, Institute for the Study of Asian and European Countries, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan

References

1.The National Army is one of the most important pillars of the government

https://physical.tnu.tj/.../the-national-army-is-one-of.../

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