FestRider Photo Blog

Big Bells Return to the Small Homeland

Tyumen, Gilyovskaya Grove
Full Story: 126 photosQuick Impression: 33 photos
This is the fifth time the festival has taken place in Tyumen, on City Day
Meanwhile, today’s Siberians will preserve the merchant traditions
Several rounds of collective ringing are planned, with call‑and‑response chimes
And now, the ensemble chime of 35 bells rings out over the well‑kept park
It’s surprisingly easy to spot a resemblance between many of those historical figures and the festival organizers!
An inner sense of the reconstruction’s importance to today’s audience also helps
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
But let’s hurry back to the belfry — for more unforgettable acoustic impressions
It’s heartening to see young people embracing this timeless art
The team is ready and waiting for the leader’s signal to start
The ancestors would be proud of such devoted successors to their craft
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
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!
Having known bells only from fairy tales, kids feel their special pull
It’s getting close to 5 p.m. — isn’t it time to visit the bellringers again?
Short impromptu masterclasses on bell ringing are held spontaneously
Free access to the bells is open again for everyone
In 1945, this bell rang at the premiere of “Ivan Susanin” at the Opera and Ballet Theatre
…so they’re ready to answer any questions — especially about the great bell from 1904
The stage stays alive with performances — both young artists and seasoned folk‑song singers bring their talent to the
The modern dances offer a striking contrast to the traditional acts we’ve just seen
The ensemble will celebrate its 35th anniversary in October
The bellringers’ state is instantly passed on to the listeners
Its tone reaches deep into the soul, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere
And yet, the bell‑ringing festival is coming to an end
After all, a bell can express with sound what words and notes cannot
The voices of the bells weave into a complex prayer for the common good
Gilyovskaya Grove will keep the memory of the bells that returned to their homeland after a century

More stories like this

The organizers are fully ready an hour before the event starts102 photos

“Three Arrows”: Traditions That Shape the Future

Gilyovo (Tyumen Region)

The recipes aren’t just local — they also come from the net, and all is available for tasting54 photos

Poltavka: a Pumpkin Style Hospitality

Poltavka (Omsk Region)

This honorable mission calls for speed90 photos

Red Hill: Heralding the Arrival of Summer

Yalutorovsk (Tyumen Region)

The performers add a distinctly authentic national flavor to the whole process69 photos

Exploring the Traditions of Siberian Germans

Alexandrovka and Azovo (Omsk Region)

It all starts with a procession on the square near the House of Friendship78 photos

Nowruz will Bring the Spring

Omsk, House of Friendship Square

The jury’s next tasty stop is Ilyinskoye village (Kataysk District)90 photos

Trans‑Urals: Where Tea Tells a Story

Kargapolye (Kurgan Region)

All stories (15)