Yakutsk played host to the Yakh Sandal Festival, celebrating traditional Yakutian cuisine.
The Ysyakh Sandalyt culinary festival, held on June 28 in Us Khayta, showcased the rich cultural heritage and traditional cuisine of the Sakha (Yakut) people. The event, organized by the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Hospitality Association and the Yakutsk City Administration, attracted around 300 participants and guests.
Tatyana Tymirova and Rufina Osipova warmly welcomed guests at the festival, which began with the Algyys rite. The main event was the family team competition "Ysyakh Aymaakh Ahylarga," where teams showcased their culinary skills in presenting 98 dishes, including meat, fish, baked goods, dairy products, and drinks.
Special nominations were given to the Kornilov family for preserving traditions and the Chechebutov family for their original dish presentation. Ergis Erilik won the "Küörchekh" whipping competition, while Milana Alekseeva, who is 17 years old, impressed the judges with her six types of dishes in the "Salamat" competition, securing first place. Alexander Grigoryev also won a competition, this time for intricate stroganina cutting.
Everyone at the festival had the opportunity to try the dishes, learn about the culture, and take photos in national costumes. Local businesses, restaurants, and cultural institutions sponsored the event, with partners including OOO "Traditsiya," "Sweet Dreams," "Kanti," "Orto Doidu," "Kamilek," "Sana Ytyk."
While detailed public listings of organizers and partners for the annual Ysyakh Sandalyt festival may be limited in English-language sources, it is known that the event is traditionally organized by local government authorities, special commissions, cultural and culinary organizations, and indigenous communities. Local businesses, sponsors, cultural institutions, and tourism boards often participate as vendors and partners.
For more information about the Ysyakh Sandalyt festival or other Yakutian cultural events, check the official websites of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) or the Ministry of Culture and Spiritual Development, or follow local government, cultural centers, and tourism boards on social media platforms such as VKontakte, Instagram, and Facebook. Regional and Russian news sources may also cover Ysyakh events with details about participants and sponsors.
At the Ysyakh Sandalyt festival, attendees could experience various aspects of Sakha (Yakut) culture, such as food-and-drink, cultural travel, and travel, in addition to learning about traditional lifestyle. The event also offered opportunities to taste traditional dishes and take photographs in national costumes, making it an immersive food-and-drink and cultural-travel experience.
