Easter in Uzbekistan
plus a recipe for kulich or Easter bread, an ideal baking project for the weekend
By late spring, buckets of sweeter-than-sweet strawberries begin filling the markets of Uzbekistan and at Amir Timur Square, in the capital Tashkent, newlyweds can be spotted posing for photographs in the warmer weather.
If you’re planning a trip, then April into May is an excellent time of year to visit, it’s not yet searingly hot and there is the chance, if you time it right, to witness Orthodox Easter traditions.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, many ethnic Russians left Uzbekistan fearing economic chaos, but many stayed on and churches remain well attended.
During Orthodox Easter you’ll likely see traditional breads called kulich, a cross between Italian panettone and hot cross buns, but denser than both, for sale in food markets. The red and gold floral wrappers that typically hold the kulich make unusual souvenirs and are worth looking out for as well.
