On May 9, Uzbekistan observes the Day of Remembrance and Honor, a date dedicated to the memory of those who died in World War II and to honoring veterans and survivors of the war.

In the morning, a flower-laying ceremony took place at the “Mourning Mother” monument in Tashkent. Military personnel, government officials, youth, and residents gathered to pay their respects, laying flowers and observing a minute of silence.

World War II remains a significant part of Uzbekistan’s historical memory. According to open sources, about 1.9 million people from the republic were mobilized to the front—nearly every third resident of Uzbekistan at the time. Over 500,000 died, and tens of thousands went missing.

During the war, Uzbekistan became a major rear area. Enterprises, hospitals, and civilians were evacuated to the republic. More than 150 factories and about 1.5 million people, including hundreds of thousands of children, were relocated there.

Many Uzbek families took in evacuees. One of the most famous symbols of this time is the family of blacksmith Shoakhmed Shomakhmudov, who adopted 14 children of different nationalities.

After independence, May 9 gained new meaning in Uzbekistan. In 1999, the Square of Memory and Honor was opened in Tashkent, and the date was officially designated as the Day of Remembrance and Honor.

Today, the day is seen not only as a reminder of the war but also as a day of respect for those who endured hardships and in memory of those who gave their lives for peace.

Source: podrobno.uz