Big Bells Return to the Small Homeland
Enthusiasts from the Siberian Center for Bell Art in Novosibirsk carry on the casting traditions established in Tyumen at the factories of the Gilyov merchant dynasty. They are the driving force behind the annual Bell‑Chime Festival, held in a picturesque park close to the historic site where unique bells were produced. These bells have won awards at exhibitions in Russia and Europe for their quality and elegance.
First Chime
This is the fifth time the festival has taken place in Tyumen, on City Day
From the very first minutes, visitors to Gilyovskaya Grove feel the atmosphere of a merchant town
Guests get to explore the bells: there are large and small ones, historical pieces and modern replicas
The main guide is Alexey Talashkin, head of the Siberian Center for Bell Art
The belfry is decorated with life‑size photos of Tyumen merchants — a father and his two sons
It’s surprisingly easy to spot a resemblance between many of those historical figures and the festival organizers!
Several rounds of collective ringing are planned, with call‑and‑response chimes
Much of it is improvised, but everyone waits for the senior bellringer (the conductor) to give the starting signal
The participants wear period costumes and take inspiration from their historical prototypes
And now, the ensemble chime of 35 bells rings out over the well‑kept park
At 1 p.m., the audience is still modest in size, but every person there is completely absorbed in the moment
Each bellringer has their own style, and that’s what makes playing together with like‑minded people so special
In this craft, the work of the soul matters as much as the mechanical precision of the movements
An inner sense of the reconstruction’s importance to today’s audience also helps
With every strike, everyone present dips deeper into a past that has been largely lost
When the chimes fall silent, a conversation about Russian bell‑ringing art begins
The Novosibirsk guests take turns speaking, each with their own story to share with the people of Tyumen
Lev Inyakin, for example, is both a bellringer and a master foundry worker
Irina Bakhareva, great‑great‑granddaughter of merchant Pyotr Gilyov, listens attentively
Every talk turns out to be vivid and sincere
That authenticity draws people in — the crowd in the park grows steadily
The festival stage is used during the bellringers’ breaks
Folk singing complements the overall picture of the celebration
In the morning, veteran ensembles take turns performing
Belfry
Meanwhile, guests are free to examine every exhibit on the belfry
Many of these bells have incredible stories of survival after the October Revolution
In everyday life, one rarely gets the chance to touch a bell — so this is a moment to seize!
Look at the amazing fair‑style build: the organizers call it a rarity
It’s a miniature belfry decorated with friendly‑looking bears
They seem to work together in perfect harmony, just like real bellringers
Remember we noticed the resemblance between the people of the 19th and the 21st centuries? We see it again here
Having direct access to the old bells is truly inspiring
Experts could talk about them for hours on end
Nearby, there’s a cozy rest area known as the “Merchant’s Corner,” complete with a samovar
Here one can also buy souvenirs from the foundry workshop…
…or simply listen to the artisan share their passion for this unusual craft
Workshops
The festival offers plenty of other interactive zones
Visitors to the park can take part in hands‑on craft workshops
Toy painting is a craft that goes back centuries
Braiding headbands is especially popular
This accessory is still very much in style today
Everyone picks their own colours to match their look and mood
One can even make a little doll right on festival day
The crafters use the wet felting technique
And here’s the wool used in this process
Another major draw is the “Tyumen Loop Carpet” workshop
They teach how to assemble delicate items from small wool threads
Each thread must be knotted around the guide on the loom, following the row pattern
A sample design is always on display for inspiration
An experienced craftswoman guides participants through every creative step
The sweet little decoration takes about 40 minutes to make — technically, it’s a mini carpet!
Second Chime
But let’s hurry back to the belfry — for more unforgettable acoustic impressions
The unique sound of dozens of bells is about to fill the park once again
The team is ready and waiting for the leader’s signal to start
Alexey Talashkin completely loses himself in the gentle chime
The energy of this rare moment is worth capturing for history
The ancestors would be proud of such devoted successors to their craft
It’s heartening to see young people embracing this timeless art
The bells truly “sing” in the hands of skilled bellringers
It seems that everything planned for this chime session has come together perfectly
Long applause is the best proof of how much the audience values this unique program
Tyumen should know the people who carry on its merchant dynasty’s legacy
Just like at the start of the day, after the final bell strike the bellringers turn into educators
One of the festival’s most important roles is educational
People can be drawn in by anything: theory, history, or personal stories
Some guests take notes so they can revisit these new topics later
Free access to the bells is open again for everyone
A selfie like this is something you can only get once a year
And look — newcomers to the park haven’t yet discovered the bellringer’s rarity!
Short impromptu masterclasses on bell ringing are held spontaneously
Of course, even mastering the basics takes at least a month of dedicated practice
But it’s always rewarding when a beginner manages to get something right from the start
Some don’t want to practice but are eager to ask questions about what they’ve seen
Experts from the Novosibirsk center have been collecting the Gilyov bells for about 20 years…
…so they’re ready to answer any questions — especially about the great bell from 1904
In 1945, this bell rang at the premiere of “Ivan Susanin” at the Opera and Ballet Theatre
It weighs around 170 kg, and the inscription leaves no doubt about its origins
You can also see the ornamentation and depictions of saints — distinctive features of bells from the Gilyov factory
Main Stage
The stage stays alive with performances — both young artists and seasoned folk‑song singers bring their talent to the festival
Their acts beautifully match the festival’s theme
The repertoire resonates strongly with the event’s spirit
The “Cleopatra” fashion theatre from the “Waterway Worker” Cultural Center takes the stage
Designers showcase a knitted collection
These pieces suit both children and adults, blending tradition with everyday wear
The headliner of the concert is the award‑winning “Rosstan” ensemble
As a center for studying and promoting folklore, the group has carried out dozens of regional expeditions
In 2021, the collective was recognized as a cultural brand of the Tyumen Region!
Its leader is Liliya Demina, Doctor of Sciences and Honored Worker of Culture of Russia
Her deep knowledge of rituals and old games makes the interactive segments effortless and engaging
The ensemble will celebrate its 35th anniversary in October
Smiling young women step onto the stage while “Rosstan” prepares for their second set
The modern dances offer a striking contrast to the traditional acts we’ve just seen
Yet the energy of youth fits perfectly at any major celebration
Winning over an unfamiliar audience is never easy
But these girls are so talented, open, and warm that they win everyone over
When even the skeptics are clapping along, one knows the performance truly worked
The “Rosstan” ensemble returns to the stage
The magic of traditional culture touches every heart…
…because, in one way or another, folklore is familiar to all of us from childhood
Through their songs, the performers share the values and worldview of earlier generations
Concerts like this bring people together and help preserve cultural identity
Thanks to these gifted artists, we all feel a stronger connection to our great shared heritage
Final Chime
It’s getting close to 5 p.m. — isn’t it time to visit the bellringers again?
Bell chimes may lack the melodic structure of music, but they carry a deep sacred meaning
The belfry draws whole families with little children
Having known bells only from fairy tales, kids feel their special pull
Conversations about the future of bell‑ringing art in Russia keep unfolding
And there’s still time to capture the most memorable moments before the final chime
It seems every guest in the park has now explored the rarity
Finally, the reenactors invite everyone to come closer
Let the chime begin!
After all, a bell can express with sound what words and notes cannot
Its tone reaches deep into the soul, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere
In moments like these, the connection between the earthly and the heavenly feels especially strong
According to Alexey Talashkin, he often experiences inner joy while ringing
The bellringers’ state is instantly passed on to the listeners
The voices of the bells weave into a complex prayer for the common good
And yet, the bell‑ringing festival is coming to an end
Gilyovskaya Grove will keep the memory of the bells that returned to their homeland after a century
Meanwhile, today’s Siberians will preserve the merchant traditions
The enthusiasts from the Siberian Center for Bell Art step forward for a bow
It’s time to sum up the five‑hour festival
The format delights the organizers with the chance for real human connection — something bellringers don’t usually get
A commemorative photo of the team by the belfry transports you back to the early 20th century
The historical snapshot proves how authentically the program was brought to life
The proud story of Siberian bells continues!
