Merikelerinizben! (That's Kazakh for "Happy Holidays") This big banner is in celebration of Independence Day (tauelsizdik kuni), which was this past Saturday, December 16. The date was carefully chosen, as it is the same day of the famed December 16 uprising. This year is the 15th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence so the celebrations and fireworks were even more energetic than usual. In true Kazakh style, Independence Day isn't just one holiday. Most businesses (and the archives!) are closed for four days: Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.