Unity Day of the People

Since 1996, 1 May has been celebrated in Kazakhstan as the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan. People of more than 100 ethnic groups live in the country, and the holiday celebrates their friendship and unity as one family.

The key institution of this policy of unity is the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, founded in 1995, which brings together the ethnic-cultural associations of different peoples. The pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, built in Astana in 2006, is a symbol of this unity and of interfaith dialogue.

How it is marked

City squares showcase the cuisines, dances and songs of different peoples, and Houses of Friendship host concerts in which Kazakh, Russian, Uzbek, Uyghur, Tatar, Korean and German ensembles share the stage.