Advertisement
Dublin: 9 °C Friday 29 March, 2024
CarbonNYC via Creative Commons
Unloved

Love lost? Uzbekistan cancels Valentine's Day

Sniff…

AUTHORITIES IN Uzbekistan are, apparently, unwilling to give love a chance.

The Russian news agency RIA-Novosti cited several local media in the Central Asian nation reporting yesterday that Uzbekistan has cancelled concerts and other events for St Valentine’s Day.

Instead, residents in the capital of Tashkent can enjoy readings of poems by Mughal emperor Babur, who died in the 16th century.

The unofficial ban on romance-related festivities echoes long-standing antagonism in Uzbekistan toward the holiday. Last year, the Turkiston newspaper described Valentine’s Day as the work of “forces with evil goals bent on putting an end to national values.”

Although most people across former Soviet Central Asia are Muslim, many enjoy celebrating what is nominally a Christian feast.

Author
Associated Foreign Press
Your Voice
Readers Comments
10
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.