FestRider Photo Blog

Summer Gathering: Crafting, Dancing, Celebrating!

Bolsherechye (Omsk Region)
Full Story: 150 photosQuick Impression: 57 photos
The territory of the “Ancient Siberia” museum is a perfect fit for programs of this kind
Experts in traditional culture feel right at home here
Throughout the festival days, the crafts festival unfolds between the old peasant houses and merchant homes
Weaving is a distinct form of applied art
Potters demonstrate every stage of their work: a little pot has just been taken out of the kiln (on the right)
It’s great that so many items are being fired — there’s plenty to watch for a long time
A separate area is dedicated to making birch wreaths
At the forge gates, a blacksmith greets the guests
You can learn from them not only how to create but also how to decorate tableware
The organizer gives the briefing and demonstrates an authentic pattern
This craft was common in peasant life
The brushstroke technique is fascinating: the tip of the brush holds both paint and white pigment at the same time
It’s important to apply the patterns with a light heart
The contest lasts four hours in total
In this shot, they don’t yet know about their triumph, but they are happy with the result
The reconstruction of a 19th‑century Siberian wedding is one of Saturday’s key events
The scene is recreated based on the memories of local elders, collected during regional expeditions
The captivating ransom ritual begins, with bargaining, jokes, and folk sayings
Finally, the groom takes his place beside the bride, and a veil is placed over her head
Though there’s a slight hitch here: the matchmaker announces that the chest is awfully heavy
Now it’s time to bring out the dowry!
The contents of the chest must be proudly displayed…
The moment comes for the bride to leave her parental home for good
The wedding procession must look bright and rich — a reflection of the groom’s family’s prosperity
Unrestrained joy fills the ranks of guests from both sides
The loaf is a mandatory wedding attribute, a symbol of a well‑fed life
Ahead lies the most important rite of the entire wedding ritual
The final major wedding rite begins — combing the hair and then changing the headdress
Those performing the rite quietly offer well‑wishes and blessings for family happiness
New status — new jewelry!
Sunday morning arrives — it’s Trinity Sunday according to the church calendar
Not a single item in this photo belongs to the 21st century!
A wreath brings a folk costume to life
Apparently, their couple’s rituals are still ahead — and the organizers will definitely notice them
Everyone weaves — from the youngest to the oldest
People linked hopes for a bountiful harvest to the white‑trunked trees
Meanwhile, on the meadow by the Bolshaya River, they are preparing vereshchaga
It’s a dish made of lard and eggs that appetizingly sizzles as it cooks
Tourists from Omsk confirm that it turned out delicious
And now the Great Siberian Round Dances begin!
The picturesque meadow is an ideal spot for folk dancing
Moving correctly to each of them is an art in itself
But already a new song spreads across the meadow
Four vocalists stand as motionless points
Around them, human chains of complex shape begin to swirl
Next, the folklore experts form two long lines
A drawn‑out, meditative song called “The Green Grove” sounds out
Each side takes turns approaching the other and bowing
In reality, the dance‑game variations that have reached us are strikingly diverse
An hour later, the round dance takes on a perfect circle: the finale is near!
For a few verses, Kostroma frolics and entertains the whole meadow…
…but at some point she decides to play dead
And that’s the end of the tale: to bring her back to life, the men drag Kostroma to the river!
…and inspire the tourists who came to the festival to do their own photo shoots
By evening, the village’s central pedestrian street becomes deserted
In the 17th century, Siberia became a territory of Russian culture and strengthened the power of the state
The project introduced people to the spirit of the Siberians who built fortresses and cities here

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All photo stories: 35