Knightly battles and kites in Bulgaria, the ethnic group in "Krutushka," the Yelabuga fair: where to go in summer in Tatarstan

      The "Great Bolgar" festival returns to its native venue in the museum-reserve

      The development of auto tourism and maritime transport are the main trends of summer tourism in Tatarstan

      This year, Tatarstan has placed a strong emphasis on event-based activities. As part of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality Industry," four festivals received non-repayable subsidies: "Great Bolgar" and two "Dreamer" festivals in Bolgar, as well as "Krutushka," said Sergey Ivanov, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan. "All tourist centers are already actively operating. We see that the dynamics of tourist flow is positive. Last year, Tatarstan's tourist centers were visited by more than 8 million people. Our task is to maintain interest. Repeat visits to key locations should be provoked by interesting current events. People should come every year and see new content in already familiar and beloved events," he noted.

      Every year, logistics between tourist centers become more accessible. Thus, Ivanov sees the main trends for the upcoming season as the development of river tourism due to the opening of a new route Kazan – Chistopol – Nizhnekamsk – Yelabuga – Naberezhnye Chelny, as well as the continued growth of interest in auto tourism due to the development of the M12 highway.

      According to him, there is already a significant dynamic in the number of guests from Moscow and Yekaterinburg in Tatarstan, who arrived via the new highway.

      The Great Kite and Ballooning Festival in Bolgar

      From July 11 to 14, the "Dreamers" kite and ballooning festival will take place at the "Great Bolgar" museum-reserve, reported the festival organizer, Executive Director of the "Journey into the Past" company, Alexey Kokurin. "At the festival, we will be crafting and launching kites of various models: from simple to 3D models. We will have about 100 master classes, numerous interactive activities, and historical lectures. We want to launch more than 600 kites into the air simultaneously," he explained.

      Visitors can come with their own kites or purchase or assemble one on-site. Additionally, the Great Bolgar Cup in model aviation will be held. Participants will include members of model aviation clubs from Tatarstan and nearby regions.

      The second part of the "Dreamers" festival will take place from July 16 to 19 and will be dedicated to balloons. Visitors will be able to ride hot air balloons from various points in the Spassky district. Also, 10 teams will create their airships right at the festival in a race, after which they will launch them into the sky, added Kokurin.

      Both weeks will conclude with a grand fire show based on fairy tales from various groups across Russia.

      The Medieval Battle Festival "Great Bolgar"

      After several years of absence, the Medieval Battle Festival "Great Bolgar" will again take place at the museum-reserve from August 8 to 9. Spectators can expect numerous sword fighting tournaments and a whole knightly competition, continued Alexey Kokurin. "We are returning to Great Bolgar to present a new strong program, both equestrian and foot. Different historical periods will be covered, many master classes will be held, and a large concert will take place," he explained.

      Among the artists performing at the festival are Yulia Chicherina, the Moscow group "Kalevala," the group "Meshchera," and many others. One of the brightest events of the festival is promised to be the knightly tournament, featuring the best knights from Russia and Belarus, stated the organizer. "Prizes will also be awarded in team nominations for historical medieval combat: three versus three, five versus five, ten versus ten. The best teams from our country will be represented. Duel nominations will gather the best fighters," added Kokurin.

      A novelty this year will be a medieval obstacle course about seven kilometers long, featuring logs, nets, spears, and other attributes.

      The Ethnic Festival "Krutushka"

      For the 16th time, the international festival "Krutushka" will take place in the homonymous village from August 21 to 23, uniting folklore motifs, folk crafts, and ethnic traditions, said the artistic director of the festival, Dina Bashkirova. "Our task is to bring together people of different nations and cultures in one place. For three days, they live nearby, communicate, sing, dance, and try national dishes. The festival is held in a wonderful natural location near the "Baitik" camp: on the banks of the Kazanka River, in the forest, and the Blue Lakes, which are a 20-minute walk away," she noted.

      A fair will be organized, children's performances will be held, and ethnic groups from across the country will perform on the evening stage, along with vocalists who are keepers of musical traditions. Guests will be able to try national dishes from various peoples and take photos with vintage cameras.

      The Boris Berezovsky Festival and the Spasskaya Fair in Yelabuga

      A large event program is also planned for this summer in Yelabuga. From July 9 to 12, at the Boris Berezovsky festival "Summer Evenings in Yelabuga," residents and guests of the city will enjoy classical music outdoors, emphasized the head of the public relations department of the Yelabuga museum-reserve, Alfiya Musharapova.

      "On the banks of the Toyma River, at the Shishkin ponds, this festival takes place, where you can listen to classical music performed by musicians and vocalists from all over the country. In 2024, we welcomed more than 60,000 guests. The festival director is the famous pianist Boris Berezovsky, who will perform this year, along with the confirmed participation of the Bashkortostan Symphony Orchestra, Said Mukhamedyanova, and many others," she said.

      From July 31 to August 2, the traditional Spasskaya Fair will take place in Yelabuga, which historically gathered merchants from 90 cities before the revolution. This year, artisans, craftsmen, and artists will once again gather there. Visitors will not only be able to purchase various goods but also participate in master classes in different areas.

      "It is important that this year the Spasskaya Fair will take place at the racetrack. However, folklore groups will continue to delight our guests in the merchant part of the city, where the event used to take place," she explained.

      As part of the fair, an anticipated event will be the bell ringing festival. More than 80 participants from Russia and Belarus will come to it. "This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the sound of bells from the bell tower of the Spassky Cathedral, which turns 206 years old this year. Not only bell ringers will perform, but also multi-instrumentalists who will showcase ancient musical instruments," added Musharapova.

      Photo: © Mikhail Zakharov / "Tatar-inform"