ETHNIC FESTIVALS
Ethnic Festival Wind of the North
Ethnic Park Kochevnik, Khotkovo, Sergievo-Posadsky District, Moscow Region. 13 August 2016
The festival is dedicated to the International Day of the World's Indigenous People created by the United Nations. The Wind of the North is dedicated to various indigenous tribes which inhabit the Northern regions of Russia. There's going to be traditional dancing and singing, a fair selling jewelry, charms, and clothes made by these peoples, workshops, film screenings, traditional food tastings, and competitions. The festival is going to take place at the ethnic theme park Kochevnik, next to the traditional dwellings of the Northern peoples, and nomads from Siberia and the Far East.
Great Bulgar Historical Festival
Bolgar Reserve Museum, Tatarstan Republic. 13-15 August 2016
The historical and archaeological site of Bolgar lies on the shores of the Volga River south of its confluence with the River Kama. It contains evidence of the medieval city of Bolgar, an early settlement of the civilization of Volga Bolgars, which existed between the 7th and the 15th centuries. Bolgar was also the first capital of the Golden Horde in the 13th century and remained an important trade centre in the time of the Kazan Khanate. Great Bolgar Fesitval focuses on historical combative fights with authentic weaponry. The festival programme features historical fair, operation of interactive sites, tournament of historical fencing, mass battles (buhurts) (including the night ones lit by torchlight), all-round competitions on foot, fire shows, concerts, contests for spectators etc. A total of 800 fights involving hundreds reconstructors will be held over the two days. A historical camp featuring authentic tents, cuisine and utensils will be presented at the festival as well. Visitors will have a chance to learn dances popular in the 14-15th centuries and also try their hand at belt braiding, medieval cooking, spice cake painting and ichigi soft boot making. The entry to the festival is free. A camp accomodating 2000 people will be set up for people willing to spend both days at the festival. The cost of stay will be 300₽ a night, or 150₽ for participants who have their own sleeping bags. A direct bus from Kazan central bus station and back is going to run during the two days of the festival.