Secular Celebrations

By celebrating the blooming of tulips, the Festival aims to unite ecology with the unique cultural heritage of the Kalmyks. The Festival in this video was shot in the steppes of Priyutnenskiy rayon in April 2015. A stage for performances and an area for traditional sports, including archery, were set up inside an ethnic camp consisting of yurts and tents. The entertainment programme included songs and dances performed by both ensembles and individuals of all ages and genders from all parts of the Republic of Kalmykia. Apart from traditional songs, Russian patriotic songs about World War II and modern music received loud applause from the audience. Kalmyk musicians showed their prowess not only by playing on traditional musical instruments but also on the Saratov accordion. The Festival hosted a fair where the guests and participants could taste Kalmyk cuisine, buy items of traditional crafts, hone their archery skills, ride horses, and take pictures in national costumes.

The annual Festival of Tulips lasts for two days. This video shows the first day of the Festival which was held in Priyutnenskiy rayon of Kalmykia in April 2017. It features singing, dancing, people riding horses and camels, and a wrestling competition.

This video shows the second day of the Festival of Tulips held in Priyutnenskiy rayon of Kalmykia in April 2017.

In 2016, the annual Festival of Tulips was held in Tselinniy rayon of Kalmykia. As in previous years, an ethnic camp was set up in the middle of the Kalmyk steppe to celebrate this holiday. The first day of the festival, which is featured in this video, was energized by traditional songs and lively dances performed by artists of all age groups.

This video shows the second day of the Festival of Tulips held in Tselinniy rayon in April 2016. While the performers entertained the public with the best samples of traditional folklore, the ethnic camp showcased material culture of the Kalmyks.

Jangariada is a cultural-sport festival which has been celebrated since 1997. Its aim is to promote Kalmyk culture and traditional sports, namely horse racing, archery and wrestling. According to the established convention, the festival is celebrated at the central hippodrome in Elista. On the eve of the competition, thirteen rayons of Kalmykia each send their representatives to Elista who bring yurts with them that serve as mobile ethno-museums showcasing the history and achievements of their respective rayons. In the morning of Jangariada, on the way to the hippodrome, people visit these yurts one by one, partaking in national food, singing songs and dancing. Many rayons also put on short shows and performances. The main celebration, which takes place in the hippodrome, starts with the sound of drums and pipes. A man on a horse gallops across the field announcing the beginning of the games, which is followed by a procession of guests, sportspersons, performers and other participants clad in colorful national costumes. A fire is lit, well-wishes are uttered, and guests are offered silk scarfs as a sign of respect and veneration. Following an official opening ceremony, the games start with a horse race which takes place outside the premises. As soon as the horses leave the hippodrome for a 40-kilometre race, performers, singers and dancers take to the stage. Wrestling and archery take place outside the walls of the hippodrome. Wrestlers come out with their heads covered with a cloth and once the cloth is removed they perform a dance imitating the flight of an eagle. Archers shoot targets placed in the distance of 25 meters. The games culminate when the horses return from the race to the hippodrome where the winners are given prizes. The award ceremony for wrestlers and archers takes place soon afterwards. The festival is closed with a theatrical performance involving dancing and singing.

This video features the Jangar Festival, or Jangariada, which was held at the central hippodrome in Elista on 1 October 2015.