Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakhstan)
Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakh: Отан Қорғаушы күні, Otan Qorğauşy künı) is a national holiday celebrated annually on May 7, commemorating the founding of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. The event is marked by military parades, fireworks and ceremonies all around the country. The holiday is perceived in society as "a men’s day" and is considered to be the Kazakh analogue to the International Women’s Day.
| Defender of the Fatherland Day | |
|---|---|
A T-72 tank during a Defender of the Fatherland Day parade in 2015. | |
| Official name | Отан Қорғаушы күні |
| Also called | Army Day Armed Forces Day |
| Observed by | Kazakhstan |
| Liturgical color | Light Blue |
| Significance | Commemorates the founding of the Kazakh Armed Forces |
| Celebrations |
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| Observances | Military parade on Independence Square in Astana (On special occasions it is held at the Otar Military Base in Jambyl Region.) |
| Date | May 7 |
| Next time | May 7, 2024 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Kazakhstan Independence Day |
On May 7, 1992, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree on the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In October 2012, President Nazarbayev signed a further decree giving the holiday a status as a national holiday and enshrining it into law. National celebrations are usually led by the President of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff.