Nauryz: The Beginning of All Good Things

Nauryz is a celebration of spring and labour, friendship and unity, and a national holiday that honours our people's customs and traditions and the generations who carry our national values. For the Kazakh people, whose way of life has always been closely bound to Mother Earth, the tradition of Korisu — the spring greeting — is seen as the beginning of renewal and creativity and the foundation of prosperity and abundance.

This year, Mangistauenergomunai LLP once again celebrated Amal, the great day of the New Year, in the national style. Colleagues began the first day of the working week by greeting one another with handshakes and heartfelt New Year wishes. In this close-knit company with a 30-year history, the holiday was full of joy and warm wishes.

This year Korisu coincided with the iftar of the holy month of Ramadan and began with employees in national dress greeting one another with handshakes and embraces. At a dastarkhan laid out in the foyer of the Aktau base, employees tasted bread and dairy dishes prepared with the wish "May our table be plentiful all year round!", and the elders gave their blessings.

As part of Nauryz week, an evening iftar for employees was held at a restaurant, to which the company's retirees were invited. The retirees, who spoke in their blessings of the hardships and rewards of labour, were followed by the partnership's General Director, Kuanbek Shakiruly Bigaliyev. Closing the festivities, he extended his holiday wishes to the team: "May the New Year come with kindness, good fortune and abundance! I wish success and prosperity to our shared work for the good of our country!"

The evening event "Welcome, dear Nauryz!" continued the Amal celebration that had begun in the morning. Employees competed for the best national costume among men and women and among grandmothers and grandchildren in national dress, and in traditional kettlebell lifting, asyk and tug-of-war; the winners received special prizes. The evening of Kazakh proverbs, sayings and quizzes left a lasting impression on everyone.

It is as if Nauryz has brought us all the comfort of the new season: a gentle breeze, warm spring rain and a special beauty that warms the heart. May the New Year be full of good things! May the future of the new Kazakhstan, which has taken its first steps on a new path of economic development and renewal, be bright! Happy Great Day of the Nation, and may the honour of our beloved country always stand high!