Cultural events. Season 2008

During the summer 2005 there will be 4 cultural events we suggest you might like to visit:

Kyrgyz National Horse Riding Games in Cholpon-Ata

This show will take place on Cholpon-Ata hippodrome following date:

2 August 2008

Horse Festival At-Chabysh in Barskoon

This show will take place in Barskoon village following date:

31 October - 2 November 2008

Traditional cuisine festival and Festival of Folklore groups

This show will take place in Jety-Oguz Valley:

27 July 2008

Kyrgyz National Horse Riding Games

Kyrgyz nomadic history is connected with daily horse riding. During the summer, today's Kyrgyz village dwellers display their skills and mastery of horsemanship by performing traditional riding tournaments, namely Ulak-Tartysh and Kyz-Kuumay.

“Ulak-Tartysh”
Ulak-Tartysh has its origins in nomadic life. Today Ulak-Tartysh loosely resembles English polo, but the desperate fight for the torn sheep remains the same: Two frenzied teams of riders tear apart a dead sheep in order to get a prize, usually the sheep (ulak) is sponsored by the participating villages.

More romantic is the second game performed, namely the “Kyz-Kuumay” (kiss chase). A young Kyrgyz man tries to catch the girl he admires. The girl starts riding first. The man has to catch up with the girl and kiss her. A kiss is his main reward but in cases where the object of his desire is faster, the man risks severe blows from the girl’s whip, loud laughter and sarcastic remarks from the audience. Kiss-chase is usually played during weddings.

Kyrgyz Traditional cuisine festival and Festival of Folklore groups

Kyrgyz people have long been known for their hospitality and skill at arranging holidays and visitors have always been the most important people in Kyrgyz homes. We would like to invite you to visit a Festival of National Cuisine and Handicrafts of Kyrgyzstan, where a national meal, Kyrgyz folklore and products made by Kyrgyz artisans all help to create a holiday atmosphere. Please come along and enjoy Kyrgyz culture and buy original gifts for the family and friends.