On March 1st, Kazakhstan celebrates Gratitude Day.

The holiday emerged relatively recently, yet it has already secured a special place in the calendar of significant events in the country. Thanksgiving Day is not merely a formal date, but a living tradition that embodies deep historical meaning and values that unite the people of Kazakhstan. On this day, individuals express gratitude to one another, share warm words, and recall past events when various nations, faced with forced relocations, found a new home and support in Kazakhstan.

Modern Kazakhstan is a nation where more than 130 ethnic groups coexist peacefully. Many of their ancestors ended up here against their will—they were deported, exiled, or relocated to Kazakhstan during various historical periods. However, it was here that they encountered understanding, received assistance, and found the opportunity to start anew. Thanksgiving Day symbolizes respect for those who extended a helping hand during difficult times, serving as a reminder that national unity and peaceful coexistence are paramount values that must be cherished.

This holiday is not just an occasion to reflect on the past but also an opportunity to contemplate the future. It teaches kindness, gratitude, and respect, reminding us that true unity is built on sincerity, friendship, and support.

History and Significance of the Holiday

Thanksgiving Day in Kazakhstan is not just another date on the calendar, but a symbol of deep respect, historical memory, and gratitude. This holiday was established in 2016 at the initiative of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The date was chosen deliberately—on March 1, 1995, the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) was founded in the country, uniting hundreds of ethno-cultural associations and working towards strengthening interethnic harmony.

However, the roots of the holiday run much deeper. Throughout the 20th century, Kazakhstan became a place of forced relocation for millions of people from various nationalities. During the years of Stalin's repressions, collectivization, and deportations, entire nations were sent here: Koreans, Germans, Chechens, Ingush, Crimean Tatars, Poles, Greeks, and others. They left their homelands not by choice—they were exiled to cold steppes, into the unknown, without food, warm clothing, or basic living conditions.

Yet, it was the Kazakh people who showed incredible generosity. Despite difficult times and a lack of resources, locals shared their last, helped migrants settle in, and provided shelter and food. This act of humanity laid the foundation for future interethnic peace in Kazakhstan, and the memory of it has been passed down through generations.

Over the years, former migrants took root here, found new homes and families, and became part of a united Kazakh nation. Today, their descendants consider Kazakhstan their homeland, holding its history, culture, and traditions in high regard.

The celebration of Thanksgiving Day serves as a reminder that solidarity and mutual aid can overcome any historical challenges. It is not merely a day of remembrance but a symbol of gratitude towards those who supported and did not abandon others in times of need. Thanks to this tradition of kindness, Kazakhstan has become a unique country where representatives of diverse cultures and ethnicities coexist harmoniously.

Celebration Traditions

Thanksgiving Day in Kazakhstan is a holiday that brings people together, filling their hearts with warmth and gratitude. Although it is relatively young, unique traditions have developed over the years, gaining increasing significance each year.

This day is celebrated across the country—in large cities, small towns, educational institutions, workplaces, and cultural centers. Importantly, the holiday has an informal, heartfelt nature: its main idea is the expression of sincere gratitude to one another for support, friendship, good deeds, and assistance.

Public Events

In all regions of Kazakhstan, festive events take place:

• Concerts and Festivals – on main squares and in cultural centers, songs and poems about friendship between nations are performed, and national dances of different ethnic groups are showcased. Artists in national costumes demonstrate the rich cultural heritage of their peoples.
• Exhibitions and Photo Galleries – museums and public spaces host exhibitions dedicated to the history of the deportations of nations and their lives in Kazakhstan, with photographic chronicles documenting the long journey towards peace and harmony.
• Historical Lectures and Conferences – scholars, historians, and representatives of ethno-cultural associations discuss past events and how interethnic peace influences the country's development.

Charitable and Volunteer Initiatives

This day inspires people to do good deeds. In many cities, large-scale volunteer activities take place:

• Youth organizations visit nursing homes, orphanages, and rehabilitation centers, providing support to those in need of care.
• Students and schoolchildren organize environmental initiatives, helping to clean parks and streets.
• Employees of large enterprises hold charity fairs, donating the proceeds to families in difficult life situations.
• Many individuals simply express words of gratitude to those around them—neighbors, colleagues, friends, doctors, teachers, utility workers, and other specialists whose work makes life more comfortable.

School and Student Initiatives

In educational institutions throughout Kazakhstan, Thanksgiving Day also holds a special place. Schools and universities conduct:

• Class hours and thematic lessons dedicated to the history of deportations and friendship among nations.
• Essay and drawing contests, where children share their thoughts on kindness and gratitude.
• Theatrical performances, where students enact scenes from the lives of migrants, showcasing the strength of human compassion.

Family Traditions

For many, Thanksgiving Day has become an occasion to gather with loved ones. On this day, it is customary to:

• Express words of appreciation to parents, grandparents, teachers, and mentors.
• Recall family stories about difficult times and the people who helped them through.
• Host shared meals, where representatives of different generations share memories and pass down traditions to the young.

Thus, Thanksgiving Day is not just a national holiday, but a day of good deeds, sincere communication, and warm words that brighten the world. It reminds us that gratitude is a force that brings people closer, makes society more humane, and fosters the preservation of peace and harmony.

Numbers and Facts

Thanksgiving Day is not merely a celebration of kind words, but also a reflection of centuries-old hospitality, mutual aid, and unity among the peoples of Kazakhstan. Over the years of this tradition's existence, a wealth of interesting data has accumulated, confirming the significance of the event.

Multinational Kazakhstan in Numbers

• There are more than 130 ethnic groups living in the country, including Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Germans, Tatars, Uyghurs, Koreans, Azerbaijanis, Chechens, Turks, Kurds, Poles, Dungans, and many others.
• The deportations of the 1930s and 1940s affected more than 5 million people, the majority of whom found refuge in Kazakhstan.
• During the collectivization period (1929–1933), approximately 250,000 dispossessed peasants were relocated here from various regions of the USSR.
• During the Great Patriotic War, over 1.5 million people were evacuated to the republic, including women, children, scientists, engineers, and cultural figures.
• In 1995, the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan was established, uniting more than 800 ethno-cultural associations across the country.

How is Thanksgiving Day Celebrated in Kazakhstan?

• Every year, over 1000 events are held across various regions of the country in honor of the holiday.
• These events involve tens of thousands of participants—from schoolchildren to public figures.
• Volunteer organizations annually organize hundreds of charitable activities aimed at helping those in need.
• On social media, users publish tens of thousands of posts with the hashtags #ThanksgivingDay and #РахметКүні, expressing gratitude to loved ones and friends.

Interesting Facts

• Kazakhstan became the first country in the world to officially establish a Thanksgiving Day linked to the history of deportations.
• The symbol of the holiday is a heart surrounded by the sun and steppe, reflecting the warmth