TheUyghur Doppa Cultural Festival,^[a] observed annually on 5 May, celebrates the culture and history of theUyghurs, aTurkic people originating fromXinjiang, China (historically known asEast Turkestan). It is also known asUyghur Doppa Day or justDoppa Day.^[b]

The festival was created by Uyghur activist Tahir Imin in 2009 and celebrated for the first time that year, in Imin's homecity ofÜrümqi. Celebrations were broadcast nationally by Chinese state television and shared by Uyghur groups abroad, popularizing it among Uyghurs in China and the Uyghur diaspora. However, since the start of the Chinese authorities' crackdown on Uyghur cultural activities in 2014, the festival is no longer observed in China.

Thedoppa (Uyghur:دوپپا) is a skullcap traditionally worn by the Uyghur people. It is a symbol of Uyghur identity and history, with written records attesting to its widespread use among Uyghurs of all ages and genders dating back to at least the 19th century.^[1]: 5

The Uyghur Doppa Cultural Festival was conceived of in 2009^[c] by Tahir Imin (تاھىر ئىمىن), a Uyghur activist fromÜrümqi who had been imprisoned twice for his religious activities.^[2] It is a day meant to celebrate Uyghur culture and history, with the wearing of a doppa acting as a symbol of both.^[1]: 1

The Chinese government was initially supportive of the festival. The inaugural celebration of the festival in Ürümqi in 2009 was broadcast nationally by the state-runChina Central Television (CCTV) fromBeijing.^[2] The state-runChina Minzu News praised a spontaneous musical performance on 7 May 2010 by Uyghur students atBeijing Normal University who were celebrating the festival after classes.^[3] Similarly, the state-runChina Daily celebrated Uyghurs' observance of the festival in the Chinese-majority city ofKaramay in 2012.^[4] Additionally, in the previous year, the government ofKashgar Prefecture had organized a seminar on the festival inYarkant County (Shache County).^[2] However, following the commencement of Chinese authorities' "Strike Hard Campaign Against Violent Terrorism" campaign in 2014, the festival is no longer observed in China.^[1]: 2

• Festivals in China
• Uyghur culture

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