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Tengrinews.kz — On December 16, Kazakhstan traditionally celebrates Independence Day, a national holiday the country is marking for the 34th time this year.
It was on this day in 1991 that the law “On the State Independence and State Sovereignty of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was adopted.
“The Supreme Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan, expressing the will of the people of Kazakhstan, recognizing the priority of individual rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other universally recognized norms of international law, affirming the right of the Kazakh nation to self-determination, proceeding from the determination to build a civil society and a rule-of-law state, pursuing a peace-loving foreign policy, and declaring its commitment to the principle of nuclear non-proliferation and the process of disarmament, solemnly proclaims the state independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the preamble to the law states.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic became the last of the former Soviet republics to declare state sovereignty.
Turkey was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence, doing so just hours after the announcement of its withdrawal from the USSR. It was followed by the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Mongolia, France, and other countries.
Today, Independence Day remains one of the country’s most significant dates. In June 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed restoring Republic Day to the status of a national holiday and dedicating December 16, Independence Day, to honoring national heroes who made a significant contribution to achieving independence.
December 16 is a non-working day nationwide. Until 2022, the holiday lasted two days — December 16 and 17. However, in September 2022, amendments were introduced to the law “On Holidays in the Republic of Kazakhstan.”
These changes restored Republic Day as a national holiday on October 25, abolished the day off on December 1 (First President’s Day), and reduced the celebration of Independence Day to one day — December 16. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the day off is rescheduled in accordance with labor legislation.
In 2025, the holiday will fall on a Tuesday, giving Kazakhstanis a short midweek break.
Illustration: Tengrinews.kz / Serikbolsyn Alibekov
Independence Day is traditionally marked across the country with festive concerts, cultural events, and public celebrations dedicated to Kazakhstan’s history and modern achievements.
