On June 7, the national Mordovian holiday "Baltai" will take place.

      On June 7, the national Mordovian holiday "Baltai" will take place in the village of Mordovskaya Karmalka in the Leninogorsk district. Once, this ancient Mordovian holiday was revived in Mordovskaya Karmalka by the villagers. In ancient times, the villagers prayed to the forest inhabitants, praised the forest animals, and believed in their power. According to legend, in 1902, a hermit named Baltai appeared in the forest near the village of Mordovskaya Karmalka, who one day, to delight the children, dressed himself in maple branches and walked through the village. Thus, the holiday "Baltai" was born. By tradition, this holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Day of the Holy Trinity. Every year, the "Baltai" holiday gathers Mordovian folklore groups from different districts of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as guests of the republic. The event aligns with the goals and objectives of the federal project "Family Values and Cultural Infrastructure" of the national project "Family." It is on this glade that the villagers welcome guests, and folklore groups in their national costumes perform folk songs, chastooshkas, and dance in circles. It is remarkable that all the groups, united by a single Mordovian culture, have costumes that are distinct from one another. This is why the glade is filled with the atmosphere of a unique colorful holiday. After the official part of the event, the holiday itself begins. At its core lies a pagan ritual and prayers in honor of the master of the forest – the bear. Three young men from the village are chosen and dressed as a "bear family": a bear, a she-bear, and a bear cub. They are wrapped in maple branches to create a fluffy coat, and a headpiece is made from ferns, lovingly decorated with flowers. Meanwhile, ancient Mordovian songs are sung, telling of the hard work of peasants, and about the customs of marrying young girls not for love, but for the wealthy and old. After this, everyone forms a circle around the "bears." Then all participants and guests head to the village, where villagers await them with tables laid out with national Mordovian treats and, of course, kvass. The entire ritual is accompanied by folk songs and dances. The procession ends on the central street near the well, where the ritual of undressing the forest animal takes place. It is considered a good omen to break a twig from the "bear," dip it in water, and sprinkle it on those nearby, as this will bring health for the entire year. The "bear" brings luck and prosperity, so it is essential to touch it. At the same time, village children, having drawn water from the well, splash it on everyone gathered, thus "calling" for rain, which is needed after the sowing work is completed.

      Program of the Mordovian Culture Holiday "Baltai"

      9:00-9:30 – Meeting guests at the village House of Culture and registration of groups and participants of the holiday.

      10:00 – Meeting official guests at the "Ritual Glade" in the forest, visiting sites by the official delegation, treating them to dishes of national cuisine.

      10:30 – Opening of the Mordovian folklore holiday "Baltai."

      10:50 – Speeches by official representatives and guests of the holiday, creative and folklore ensembles, and groups.

      11:30 – Conducting the Mordovian national game "Kikerykai," the ritual of choosing and dressing the "Bear," and dancing in circles.

      12:30 – 15:30 – Traditional procession led by the "Bear" through the village streets. The ritual "Shumbrachi, oyat-yalgat" – "Undressing the 'Bear'" (wishing health and prosperity to each other).

      More news about the event:

      In Bakrchah, the "Gift Collection" holiday took place for the district Sabantuy. Villagers expressed their joy regarding the ancient custom by gifting beautiful shawls and towels for Sabantuy. 10:47 04.06.2026 Tetyushskie Zori Newspaper - Tetyushi

      Yesterday, gifts were collected for Sabantuy in the streets of Buinsk. In the spirit of ancient customs, representatives of the district council of veterans, participants of the folklore group "Bua monnary," and activists of the "Ak kalfak" organization, dressed in bright national costumes, 10:41 04.06.2026 Znamya Newspaper - Buinsk

      Gift collection for the national holiday Sabantuy. The gift collection for the national holiday Sabantuy is an ancient beautiful custom. 10:09 04.06.2026 Sabinsky District - Bogatyye Saby

      Gift collection for the holiday "Sabantuy." On June 2, cultural workers from the Bolshie-Nyrtinsky SDC and village activists gathered gifts for the national holiday "Sabantuy." 08:58 04.06.2026 Sabinsky District - Bogatyye Saby

      On June 7, the national Mordovian holiday "Baltai" will take place. On June 7, the national Mordovian holiday "Baltai" will take place in the village of Mordovskaya Karmalka in the Leninogorsk district. 06:42 04.06.2026 Ministry of Culture - Kazan

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      In Bryansk, the "Desnyansky Khorovod" will take place. On June 11-12, the Bryansk region will host the folklore festival "Desnyansky Khorovod" for the ninth time. 20:41 03.06.2026 Plamya Truda - Dyatkovo

      On Russia Day, the "Desnyansky Khorovod" will take place in Bryansk. On June 11-12, the Bryansk region will host the folklore festival "Desnyansky Khorovod" for the ninth time. 20:08 03.06.2026 Pochepskoye Slovo Newspaper - Pochep

      Orsk, welcome Sabantuy! On June 6, a true celebration of Tatar and Bashkir culture will take place in the Builders' Park. 15:40 03.06.2026 City of Orsk - Orsk

      The Mordovian holiday "Shumbrat" will take place in the Vladimir Garden of Ulyanovsk on June 6. Ulyanovsk residents are invited to the national holiday "Shumbrat." The Mordovian holiday "Shumbrat" will take place in the Vladimir Garden of Ulyanovsk on June 6. Photo: Archive "KP". 11:54 03.06.2026 Komsomolskaya Pravda - Ulyanovsk