Nomad Games draw more than 3,000 athletes and 600 cultural events

Kyrgyzstan has summed up its Sixth World Nomad Games, reporting more than 3,000 athletes from 104 countries and over 600 cultural events held across the country.

The cultural program ranged from international festivals and concerts to theater performances, exhibitions, workshops, creative competitions, aitysh contests and ethnocultural projects. One of the main venues was Kyrchyn, where organizers created an ethnovillage called “The Universe of Nomads.” It presented the culture, crafts, food, music and traditional arts of Kyrgyzstan’s regions.

Representatives from 38 countries took part in the Kөchmөнdөр Sanaty international festival at the Rukh Ordo cultural complex. Other events included Echo of the Nomads, NOMAD FEST and the Art Lab creative laboratory.

The Games also attracted prominent figures from culture, cinema and sport, including musician Leo Rojas, the group AY YOLA, athletes Valentina Shevchenko and Dmitry Bivol, and actors Bai Ling and Don “The Dragon” Wilson. Around 2,000 local media workers received accreditation, while about 250 foreign journalists traveled to Kyrgyzstan.

The Culture, Information and Youth Policy Ministry said the Games combined sporting and cultural programs and became one of the largest international platforms devoted to the traditions and heritage of nomadic peoples. The event opened on Aug. 31 at Bishkek Arena with a parade of delegations from participating countries.