Join the steppe colors of the Republic of Kalmykia (Russia) at the Tulip Festival

The vast steppe is immense green on the horizon … ‘, on warm April days, tourists from all over the world flock to Elista capital of the Kalmykia Republic of the Russian Federation to enjoy the growing tulip fields. nature and immerse yourself in a unique flower festival.
This is an opportunity for visitors to get acquainted with the cultural traditions and customs of the local people, which in the past lived a nomadic form. Besides, Kalmykia always has charisma, because this is the only Buddhist country in Europe.

The vast steppe is immense green to the horizon … ”, on warm April days, tourists from all over the country flock to Elista capital of the Russian Federation of Kalmykia to be wandering in the fields of tulips growing. nature and immerse yourself in a unique flower festival. One of the most attractive events in the cultural life of the Republic of Kalmykia is the folk-ethnographic festival “Tulip Festival”. In the steppe republic, where tulips grow in natural conditions and are considered national symbols, a celebration of honor has been held since 2013. “Tulip Festival” is becoming more and more popular with tourists. On the days of the event, thousands of visitors came to the republic, including foreigners, who were infatuated with the beauty of the local steppe. In 2019, 10,000 visitors attended. In 2020, the Festival was canceled due to restrictions related to Covid-19 translation. This year, the government of the Republic of Kalmykia decided to hold an event long awaited and loved by the tourists and locals for a day, instead of 3 days as every year and taking into account all measures on epidemiological hygiene. The festival takes place on the territory of Shatta Ecological Park – Tselinny district of Kalmykia, about 20 km from the capital Elista. Cars poured in from all over the festival, filling a large area. The ladies in national costumes welcome visitors At the entrance, there are girls in ethnic costumes standing in two rows to welcome guests. Inside, the festival is divided into many exhibition areas, according to different themes. Each district of the republic has its own area to introduce the cultural, ethnographic characteristics, production activities, life. The festival includes archery performances, horseback riding, ethnic wrestling, yoga and zumba, vibrant concerts, Kalmyk embroidery training classes, art makeup, bone carving, weaving Kalmyk whip and felt. A food court with ethnic dishes is also held on site. One more goal that this year, the Festival Organizing Committee, is to raise the ecological awareness of residents and visitors to the republic. The environmental patrol team and volunteers oversee the compliance of the rules, explaining to guests the need to respect steppe tulips, which, if violated, will result in administrative penalties. There are no tulips at the festival venue to avoid the risk of trampling on the flowers. You can watch tulips in the fields of Priyutnensky, Iki-Burulsky and Tselinny districts. Amidst the vast steppe nature, the high clear blue sky, the sun, the wind, the riders performing the horse riding performances, the knights in armor, helmets, exciting dances, lyrics, Strongly recreated a beautiful picture of the life of ancient nomads. Mrs. Vera, – a tourist from the city of Stavropol attending the festival, feels very happy: “We are very like, very interesting, everything is fun and rich. We have seen the tents on display here, the girls are very beautiful, gorgeous, the knights are very majestic. ” Wish tree Mrs. Vera said that, after watching and enjoying many performing arts shows, she and her crew members also visited the largest Buddhist temple in Kalmykia and took pictures in the field of tulips. Tuylip Flower Festival attracts not only tourists from all over the world, but also locals. Ms. Svetlana said: “Tuylip is the beauty of our steppe, our pride, our history and our life. The festival was held for us and visitors to see “. As a country of Buddhism, at the entrance, visitors can not help but notice a tree, with ribbons hanging in the colors of blue, red, yellow, and white. Mrs. Vera, – an artist of the national arts troupe explained: “This is our cashew tree. We hang up ribbons with our wishes. This blue is the wish for happiness, white is luck, yellow is belief in Buddha, red is prosperity. ” Along with its signature cultural traditions, Kalmykia cuisine reflects the centuries-old nomadic life of herding herds and is not so diverse, mostly meats and flour, but it does. satisfied with large serving sizes and adequate nutritional value. Kalmykia is a small republic, with more than 300,000 inhabitants, located in the south of Russia, the eastern edge of Europe. Residents here are predominantly Asian and mostly Buddhist. In recent years, Buddhist temples, including the Buddha Shakyamuni – the largest in Europe, are located in the capital Elista and the annual Tuylip flower festival has become and is becoming a national brand attracting tourists. by Kalmykia. The temple is 63 meters high, so it is easy to see from any position in the city, and the Buddha statue in the Main Hall is 9 meters high. In addition, there are other Buddhist imprints such as the Seven-day Pagoda, the ancient Buddhist temple of Khurul, the Golden Gate … The colors of Buddhist culture, the fields of natural tulips, the herds of goats, sheep, camels leisurely. graze on the immense, peaceful steppe and continues to invite and hold visitors to Kalmyakia./. Other impressive images of the festival: Reenactment of the image of knights The Iashaltinsky district introduces great local livestock farming Traditional Kalmykia costumes Ethnic dishes Festival visitors can experience camel riding Exciting dance performance Naturally growing Tuylip flower fields attract visitors Herd of goats and sheep grazing leisurely on the steppe Buddha Shakyamuni Temple is the largest in Kalmykia and also the largest in Europe Temple 7 days.