Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 9 May, Uzbekistan celebrates the Day of Remembrance and Honor, paying tribute to the contribution of Uzbeks to the defeat of fascism.

What is the history of the "Day of Remembrance and Honor" in the Republic of Uzbekistan? In our country, the holiday on 9 May was celebrated from 1946 to 1988, as in other republics of the USSR, under the name Victory Day in memory of the victory in the Great Patriotic War (BOB). Almost 2 million Uzbeks went to the front, more than 538 thousand died, more than 158 thousand went missing.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the holiday was not officially celebrated in Uzbekistan for 10 years. Its official celebration was restored by the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in 1999. Since that time, 9 May has been celebrated in the country as the “Day of Remembrance and Honor”.

Let us turn to the facts of the origin of the date "9 May".

The German army signed the act of surrender on 7 May in Reims (France) and a day later in Berlin to officially acknowledge their defeat in World War II. In the republics of the Soviet Union, 9 May was considered the official date of Germany’s surrender to the allied forces. The time difference between Berlin and Moscow made 9 May the official end of the war in the Soviet Union. Uzbekistan, along with other republics, took part in this bloody war. About 450 thousand Uzbeks died defending the world from fascism. In the Uzbek Republic, during the war, they received residents and enterprises evacuated from the territories where hostilities were taking place. The relocated factories produced the products necessary to ensure the front.

It is noteworthy that the act of unconditional surrender of Germany in 1945 from Berlin to Moscow was delivered by the crew of the pilot Abdusamat Taymetov, a native of Tashkent.

The Day of Remembrance and Honor, which has been celebrated in our country since 2 March 1999, is a day of remembrance for the dead of more than half a million Uzbek soldiers and civilians in Uzbekistan. It is also a day of honor for the veterans of that terrible war. In other words, memory - to those who died for their country, honors - to the living.

Peace and tranquility, harmony and prosperity reign in Uzbekistan. In the hearts of people, such values and feelings as respect for the elders, care for the younger ones, kindness and generosity are increasingly affirmed. Honoring the memory of ancestors, continuing their noble deeds, respect for the older generation, which, by its example, contributes to the strengthening of calm and cohesion in our society, the prosperity of the country, have become an integral part of our life.

More and more work is being approved to improve the health of older people, to create all conditions for ensuring their well-being.

The Day of Remembrance and Honor in Uzbekistan is a holiday of mourning, reverent respect and pride, as well as deep gratitude. On 9 May, concerts, treats, awards and other festive events are held in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In all cities of Uzbekistan, people come to monuments, memorials, pantheons with "eternal fire".

People lay flowers and honor the memory of the fallen soldiers with a minute of silence, pay tribute to veterans and home front workers of the Great Patriotic War, and participants in the Afghan war, the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan, who enjoy no less respect.

Particular attention is paid to the involvement of schoolchildren and youth in the events of the Day of Remembrance and Honor. Entire school classes come to the festive events, with flowers and ribbons on the chest, made in the colors of the national flag. The cities of the country are decorated with colorful flags and banners.

During the war years, Uzbekistan received tens of thousands of echelons with the wounded and refugees. A quarter of a million children from Ukraine, Belarus, besieged Leningrad found a new home here.

For courage on the battlefields, 338 of our fathers and grandfathers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, thousands and thousands of our compatriots were awarded military orders and medals - all this is practical proof of the real heroism of our people in the fight against fascism.

Life is fleeting, as the saying goes. And we must not forget that honoring, showing attention and care for our veterans who participated in that merciless war, and also, not sparing themselves, those who worked in the rear, creating all the necessary conditions for them, providing them with the state and society full support, is our sacred duty.

It is important to have time to please these people dear to us, to enrich their life with care, to fill it with joy and content - all this noble work is an important and urgent task for each of us.

The President of the country also has a special attitude to the 9 May holiday. 

“Today, it is extremely important for us, all the peoples of the world, to learn the lessons from the terrible Second World War. Years, centuries will pass. But our people will never forget the heroes of the war. Their feat is in the fight against fascism. You are the honor and pride of our people. Your feat is immortal,” said President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The main events on the Day of Memory and Honor are held in Tashkent. In the capital of Uzbekistan, the city of Tashkent, war heroes are honored on Mustakillik Square, on the Alley of Glory. Here are granite steles, on which the names of all Uzbek soldiers of the Second World War are engraved. In the middle of the alley there is a memorial symbolizing the Motherland - this is a bronze statue of a grieving mother. The monument symbolizes the grief and suffering of mothers and all the people whose sons died in the fight against fascism.

In Tashkent, there is also the Mass Graves complex. Families with children come here to lay flowers at the monuments of war veterans, natives of Uzbekistan, many of whom were awarded the high title of Hero. The government and people of Uzbekistan treat such monuments with great respect and attention. Perfect order, solemn atmosphere and tranquility reign in the complex.

9 May is a day of remembrance of the tragedy that occurred in the world, which teaches us to draw conclusions from the past and appreciate the world.

“It is on the example of the highest heroism of our fathers and grandfathers that the main values of the people and the nation are formed and further developed - the veneration of war and labor veterans. We will always consider perpetuating their memory as our sacred duty. Today, it is extremely important for us, all the peoples of the world, to learn the lessons of the terrible Second World War. At present, the preservation of peace and stability, interethnic and interfaith harmony in our country, strengthening friendly ties and cooperation with all states of the world is becoming increasingly important,” the President of Uzbekistan said.

A person, a people, a nation is alive and eternal thanks to historical memory. Without a doubt, our descendants will never forget the efforts of all peoples to achieve this great Victory over fascism, and will always remember with pride and honor the heroism and steadfastness shown by our people.

Today, one can definitely say that all peoples first of all need peace and tranquility. The Uzbek people are no exception. In this increasingly complicated situation, given the real threats and challenges, Uzbekistan is pursuing a policy that is well known to our people.

We consider it our primary task to further strengthen friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with all states, primarily with neighboring countries.

Uzbekistan is a supporter of resolving all conflicts and confrontations in various regions of the world only through peaceful negotiations.

National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights