Celebratory event breaks records and serves an authentic flavor experience
BaiQymyz Festival Celebrates Kazakh Culture and Traditions in Astana
The BaiQymyz gastronomic festival, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, was a grand celebration of Kazakh culture and traditions. This annual event, dedicated to the national drink, kumys, showcased the country's rich heritage, from traditional cuisine and crafts to horse-related heritage and family activities [1][2][4].
The festival attracted over 70,000 visitors, making it a significant platform for promoting Kazakh traditions and strengthening community ties [2]. A special QR code was used for guests to evaluate kumys products, with a total prize fund of 45 million tenge (~$84,000) [2].
Over 50 kumys producers from all over Kazakhstan participated in the festival, each offering tastings and sharing knowledge about their varied production methods and health benefits [2][3]. One of the winners of the special QR code evaluation was the "Zhanyz" farm from Sarly village in the Abai region [1].
Beyond food, the festival featured exhibitions of traditional horses and saddles, local crafts, and traditional games, immersing visitors in Kazakh heritage and lifestyle [1][4]. The first "Eр Qanaты" horse exhibition took place at the BaiQymyz festival, showcasing elite horse breeds like Hanoverian, Thoroughbred, Russian Trotter, Akhal-Teke, and Kazakh breeds such as Abai, Mugan, Kostanai, and Bekaraagai [1].
The festival also provided a platform for farmers to demonstrate ancient recipes and approaches to animal husbandry [1]. For instance, a farmer from the Karaganda region brought 600 liters of kumys to the festival, while farmers from all over the country shared their knowledge and practices [1].
In addition to tastings and exhibitions, the festival offered masterclasses, souvenir shops, national sports competitions, concerts, and opportunities for selfies with national treasures [1]. Almaty-based ceramist Gaziz ZHUMAKHOV, for example, showcased his traditional Kazakh instruments, including the saz-syrnai [1].
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that "Eр Qanaты" is more than an exhibition; it's a movement to preserve Kazakh equestrian culture [1]. The organizers of the BaiQymyz festival announced that "Eр Qanaты" will be an annual event, with the next exhibition timed for Republic Day of Kazakhstan [1].
Foreign participants, including a farmer from Yakutia, also attended the festival, demonstrating the global interest in Kazakh culture and traditions [1]. Nurlan JAKIBAYEV, a craftsman from Aktobe, showcased his traditional leatherwork at the festival, including whips, torseks, kamchi, korzhyns, and other Kazakh artifacts [1].
The BaiQymyz festival is more than just a gastronomic event; it's a cultural ambassador that preserves Kazakh nomadic traditions centered around kumys, supports rural producers, and promotes national identity through a festive, educational, and inclusive framework [1][2][4]. With the growing popularity of kumys production and consumption, new farmsteads emerging, and infrastructure developing, this festival is a promising step towards the sustainable continuation of these traditions.
References: [1] https://www.tengrinews.kz/culture_and_arts/baikymyz-festival-2022-astana-2590262/ [2] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/baikymyz-festival-2022-v-astane-otkryty [3] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/v-astane-zavershilsya-gastronomicheskij-festival-baikymyz [4] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/baikymyz-festival-v-astane-otkryt
The BaiQymyz festival not only celebrated Kazakh gastronomy but also showcased the country's rich cultural heritage through exhibitions of traditional horses, crafts, and games, immersing visitors in the Kazakh lifestyle [1][4]. This annual event offered opportunities for learning about ancient Kazakh recipes and animal husbandry techniques through masterclasses and practical demonstrations [1]. Furthermore, the festival promoted travel and cultural exploration by attracting foreign participants and fostering global interest in Kazakh culture and traditions [1].
