Nowruz: Calling Spring with Tradition and Creativity
The spring festival at the colourful square by the Cultural Center of Odesskoye village was a grand celebration that honored every tradition. Songs from different cultures filled the air, sports competitions brought everyone together, and the special atmosphere of nature’s awakening united the crowd — blurring the lines between generations and cultures.
On the Square
Various Nowruz events in Odesskoye have been held for many years now
This year, the festivities outgrew the cozy halls and took over the entire square near the Cultural Center
The spacious yurt is where visitors are treated to dishes of the national cuisine
The first spring melody rings out in the Kazakh language
Guests of all ages gather in front of the stage
By tradition, sweets are scattered around — a way to share happiness with everyone nearby
Evgeny Zhuravlev, the head of the district, addresses the audience with warm greetings
He also presents letters of gratitude to the artists and event organizers
One of the special reasons for celebration is the 30th anniversary of the Kazakh creative studio “Zamandastar”
Yesbol Sagandykov, Deputy Mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Omsk and the Region, offers his blessings to the crowd
He is joined by Damir Sagandykov, the imam of Odesskoye District
After the short official part, it’s time for the big creative program to begin!
“Zamandastar” studio of the Odesskoye Cultural Center is, in a way, the heroes of the day
No wonder they have so many devoted fans
Since its founding in 1996, the studio has been preserving and promoting Kazakh culture
The “Kamajai” dance traces back to the traditions of the ancient nomadic peoples
Altynai Zhunusova, head of the “Moldir” center and a native of Omsk, came to celebrate with her friends
Her energetic performance won a storm of applause from the audience
Elena Martynyuk’s composition is a striking contrast: lyrical and romantic
The crowd watches and listens in hushed awe, eyes fixed on the stage
It’s more than just a song — in this single touching number, a whole lifetime seems to unfold
Kettlebell Lifting
While performances continue, other activity zones start coming to life
The kettlebell sport coaches know exactly how to add extra flair to the program
The Nowruz rules are simple: the winner is the one with the most kettlebell lifts
A young man effortlessly hits the 100‑lift mark, all with a smile on his face
It’s no disappointment to share a moment of glory with other worthy contenders
The festival of friendship and kindness is in full swing
Concert: Nowruz Guests
Representatives of national centers from all over the district gathered in Odesskoye
The second part of the concert features many Russian and Belarusian songs
Gannovka, Blagodarovka, and other nearby villages are famous for their talented soloists
Andrey Kabakov performs a German dance
Folk choreography may look simple, but this simplicity holds a living link between eras and generations
Elena Martynyuk — whose heartfelt vocals we’ve already enjoyed — joins the artist on stage
Armenian culture is presented as a special segment of the program
The folk motif speaks to nature and expresses the soul’s state through the image of the sun
It’s quite slippery near the stage, but the young dancers aren’t stopped by any difficulty
A truly multicultural concert wouldn’t be complete without songs in Ukrainian
Their melodies are so appealing that you want to sing along from the very first notes
While the performances go on, it’s a great time to take some memorable photos
Bone‑Breaking Contest
The highlight of the festival is the Kazakh bone‑breaking competition
Before their attempts, the men wrap their wrists with cloth for protection
One needs good intuition to find the weakest spot in this part of a large animal’s skeleton
The contestants have formed two teams
Each participant gets three attempts; if they fail, the right to strike passes to the next person
A teammate’s advice can really help
In ancient times, this was a way to test young men’s strength and dexterity
Being able to break the bone was a sign that a youth was ready for the challenges of adult life
The strike must be not only powerful but also precise
It’s time to focus and locate that very vulnerable point
A sharp swing is followed by a barely noticeable touch
Finally, the bone splits in two!
It’s worth noting that both teams are competing at the same time
And today, luck is on the side of both of them!
This is not just a personal triumph — it’s also a meaningful contribution to preserving tradition
Concert: Kazakh Traditions
The final part of the concert is dedicated to Kazakh cultural heritage
The intricate patterns on the costumes add a touch of magic to every movement
Vibrant colors, grace, and perfect coordination are the foundation of this unforgettable performance
The crowd has thinned, but the most devoted fans stay till the end
Nowruz songs don’t just sound — they bless the new cycle of life
The vocalists from “Zamandastar” studio wish everyone abundance and peace
Akyn Suyunduk Zhumakov presents his original composition and a taste of modern pop
The program even includes a glimpse into the dance traditions of a distant land
That’s the way the concert draws to a fitting close — with youth, sincerity, and energy
Chief Strongman
The stage empties, but the sports contests keep going strong
Even from a distance, you can see the intensity in the competitors’ faces
Emotions run high: defeat carries both surprise and a quiet hope for a rematch
This is mas‑wrestling, a national sport of Yakutia known since the 17th century
Opponents brace their feet against a board and pull on a wooden stick (the “mas”)
The bout showcases heroic strength, endurance, and tactical thinking
The festival’s finale is a tug‑of‑war — a beloved game among many peoples
Two teams, roughly equal in strength, are ready for a long standoff
Their cheering squads find the whole thing hilariously entertaining
But for the competitors themselves, there’s no room for laughter now
This fierce contest is played fair, with no compromises
Only raw power and total focus will decide who comes out on top
Guests capture the entire group “duel” on camera
At some point, the teams have to switch sides
But it doesn’t look like that will break the opponent’s resistance
A tug, then another: who will claim the victory?
In truth, that’s not the most important thing — the folk festival is all about bringing people together
What truly matters is the sense of unity and the joy in each other’s success
Still, the trials do have a winner: the chief strongman of Nowruz is Aslan Khamzin!
Along with his new title comes a prize: a beautiful national costume
This is how the day in Odesskoye will be remembered: full of sport, music, and spring
