Throughout the World Nomad Games which triumphantly folded on the evening of Sept.13, the ethnovillage was a hot spot for locals and tourists to immerse themselves in the rich nomadic heritage, uniting cultures and ancient traditions and giving an opportunity for a bit of adventure within the limits of the city.
Spanning 10 hectares near the Kazanat racetrack, one of the sports venues of the games in Astana, the ethnovillage was open to the public from Sept. 7. It had several areas, beginning with a central square with a big taiqazan (a metal cauldron) in the middle. The public enjoyed a folk music tent, an open-air museum of nomadic civilizations, and designated spaces for sports events and national cuisine.
Each region of Kazakhstan also set up yurts to represent distinct features, be it traditions or food. Getting inside, one could hear the sounds from every corner – live music from the stage, the sounds of lively conversations, music, and the clutter of artisans and visitors.
“It is a really impressive atmosphere here. I liked how the ethnovillage is established, especially how different regions are represented,” said Abira Kuandyk, a resident of Astana, in a comment for this story.