It’s that time of year again …
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As Christmas and New Year approach we start to think of new beginnings and plans for the coming year.
For those of working in tourism, that can be quite difficult. I have said before that most people here in Kyrgyzstan work on short notice and although some people are make decisions about their holiday destinations “at the drop of a hat”, most people who travel to Kyrgyzstan from Europe or further afield, (what is euphemistically called here, za rubizhom, “the far abroad”), ten to make their plans well in advance.
In fact, I often surprise people by saying that I am already beginning to think about plans for the following year – in February. Although there is always “the exception to the rule”, in general there is very little that we can do in March and April to increase the number of visitors from za rubizhom, their plans are already laid and so we have to think about trying to catch their attention and get the starting to think about Kyrgyzstan for the following year.
It’s normally at the end of the year, (in October, November and December), and possibly at the very beginning of the next, (in January and February), when we need to make the biggest effort in marketing to convince people that we’ve already caught the attention of, that Kyrgyzstan really is where they want to spend their holidays next summer.
Fortunately, not everyone here works on the principle of “There’s plenty of time …” and some people and organizations understand that “even if there is plenty of time to sort out the details … we still need to start planning early!” KCBTA, (The Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association), is one of these.
Every year local groups of KCBTA organize a series of festivals around the country during the summer months … and they usually announce those festivals well in advance – which means that people can make their travel plans and arrange to visit one, (or more), whilst they are in the country. Indeed, we’ve had several trips where the group has decided that they wanted to visited Kyrgyzstan simply in order to attend the festivals, and we’ve had to arrange an itinerary around them.
To be frank, they are not normally big events … I sometime liken them to a village fête back home … but that has distinct advantages. It means that you are not “crowded out” and can get much closer to “the action”, and interact with the participants and the locals who also come along to enjoy the event.
Let’s face it, amongst the things that people are often interested in seeing when they come to Kyrgyzstan is, of course, the landscape: the magnificent mountains and indeed the sheer variety of different landforms that abound here, (I often say that it is a artist’s paradise – painter’s or photographer’s – as there is so much variety and there are plenty of opportunities to let their talent flow and produce quite different and distinct pictures.)
There are many who come looking for adventure, whether it is strenuous mountain climbing, or trekking, horse riding or white water rafting, or … well, you name it and it’s probably possible to arrange.
Another attraction is the nomadic culture, whether it be staying in yurts or sitting listening to local musicians or a manaschi recite portions from the Kyrgyz National Epic: Manas; riding horses or tasting traditional cuisine,
And Kyrgyzstan does not have just traditional Kyrgyz nomadic culture. Sitting astride the Great Silk Road and as part of the vast Soviet Union, people of many nationalities have settled here and brought with them their own culture and traditions which have been handed and preserved from generation to generation.
Attending one or more of the festivals can give people the chance to do all three.
KCBTA have just announced their programme for 2012. Unfortunately, there are fewer festivals planned for this year, but they all been staged before and proved popular. For anyone coming to Kyrgyzstan, a visit to one or more of the festivals can be an enjoyable and even an educative experience. This year’s festivals include:
Son-Kul Clean-up – Ecological Action
Son Kul is a beautiful mountain lake set in a treeless plateau ringed by mountain peaks, in the Central Tien Shan Mountains, which is popular with trekkers and horse riders. A number of yurt camps provide accommodation throughout the summer where travellers can stay with shepherd families who have brought their livestock up to the high mountain pastures (jailoo), to graze on the lush grass. However, it is inaccessible for most of the winter, and the local CBT group organizes an ecological action, a clean-up, to prepare the site for the coming season.
As well as the “cleaning-up”, they turn the event into a real festive occasion, organizing national games ( arkan tartmai, jooluk tashtamai and others), a folklore show, demonstrations of creating national felt and woven fabrics; traditional aytish or song contests, and a bonfire.
Venue: Son-Kul lake (northern coast, 100km from Kochkor village)
Date: July 21-22, Saturday, Sunday
A Festival of Kyrgyz Rites and Traditions
Amongst the highlights will be demonstration of Kyrgyz traditions and rites associated with growing up (such as: Beshik-Toi - when a new born baby is placed in the cradle, and Tushoo-Toi - “cutting the binds”, traditionally heldto celebrate a baby’s first steps – although in modern society it is usually help on the child’s first birthday),
There will be an opportunity to taste traditional Kyrgyz dishes together with the opportunity to participate in their preparation, as well traditional music and national games.
Also, there will be an exhibition and sale of souvenirs.
Venue: Karool-Dobo village, in the Chon-Kemin valley
Date: July 28, Sunday
“Kyrgyz Kochu” festival
The traditional nomadic lifestyle involved annual migration from the lowlands to the high mountain pastures, (jailoo), at the start of summer followed by the return to the lowland plans in the autumn. Kyrgyz Kochu commemorates the rituals and routine involved in the autumn journey, from striking camp
There will be demonstrations of traditional games such as Er-Enish, Kyz Kuumai, Tiyin Enmei; a folklore show, and Kyrgyz cuisine.
Venue: On the southern shore of Son-Kul Lake
Date: August 11, Saturday
Hunting birds festival
Hunting with eagles was an important part of nomadic life and culture, and although many Kyrgyz now live a settled life in villages for most of the year, there are still a number of Berkutchi who keep the traditions alive.
There will be demonstrations of “Falconry”, a folklore show, and souvenirs exhibition.
Venue: Bel-Tam on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul lake, near Bokonbaevo village
Date: August 18, Saturday
If anyone is thinking of coming to Kyrgyzstan next year, then it may well be worth timing the visit to tie in with one of these festivals … and, of course, we in Celestial Mountains would be happy to help you make the arrangements.
Bishkek