"Gyron Bydton-2026": everything starts with water

      In the Mamadysh district, the Udmurt holiday "Giron Bytdon" took place

      A folk holiday in a picturesque location

      This year, the venue for the national Udmurt holiday was the village of Poikino in the Mamadysh district. The main site of Giron Bytdon was located in the lowland of the Bash-Laya (or Laya) river behind the Klyausch village council. Here, in addition to a large square and stage, there was also a whole presidium for high guests and a small courtyard with colorful houses. The organizers had already reported that all the necessary infrastructure had been prepared in advance for the upcoming event in the village. The main point of interest on this side of the river is a 340-year-old willow, almost a contemporary of the local Udmurts (who arrived in these lands about four centuries ago). A "master of the forest" resides on this tree. This bearded creature, dressed in bast shoes and a bath cap, posed riddles to passersby: "A white stone melts in the mouth, sweet"; "The street is full of white fluff, but you can't bring it into the house." The riddles are childish, but in reward for correct answers, the "old man" gave the holiday guests coins that could be left in the crevices of the ancient willow while making a wish. In business, the master of the forest seems to be as much of an expert as in riddles.

      On the other bank of the Laya is a hill sacred to the Udmurts, where their first settlements were located. It is now free of residential houses and has become a place for folk celebrations. Here is the very pond that was restored specifically for Giron Bytdon.

      On the hill itself, a small stage was set up, where republican competitions "Udmurt Cheberina" and "Udmurt Batyr" were held among girls and boys. And on the bank of the Laya, a fair was organized, showcasing the crafts of the first Udmurts: gathering, hunting, and fishing. However, the new attraction of Giron Bytdon, the very beaver, could not be found by the correspondent of "Tatar-inform" in Laya. According to the organizers, the little creature kept an eye on every rehearsal but forgot to come ashore for the holiday itself.

      The picturesque and characteristic nature is the main reason to visit Giron Bytdon in the Mamadysh district. The organizers themselves mentioned this, and so did the Deputy Minister of Culture of Tatarstan, Damir Natfullin. "A very picturesque place. When holding traditional folk holidays, the factor of nature and the environment is very important," he said.

      "It all starts with water"

      The official program began when the honored guests of the holiday – Deputy Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Yuri Kamaltynov, as well as the head of the district Vadim Nikitin and a guest from Udmurtia, President of the All-Udmurt Association "Udmurt Kenesh" Andrey Uraskin – walked around the fair and courtyard and took their places in the "presidium."

      The performance began with a theatrical act "Vanymyz vu bordyn" ("Everything from water"), based on the folklore of the local Udmurts. "Where water meets dry land, life is born," explained the narrator's voice. At this time, Udmurt women in folk costumes appeared on the field, with a girl in a blue dress at the front, embodying the spirit of water. Following them, Finno-Ugric settlers appeared on a land vessel, mixing with the Turks who lived here. The unusual outfits of Udmurt men – stylized surtuks and hats – aroused great interest.

      Giron Bytdon is often compared to the Tatar Sabantuy. The correspondent of "Tatar-inform" asked Andrey Uraskin how accurate this comparison is. The principle of these summer holidays is indeed similar – it is a time of slight relaxation after the spring fieldwork. But Giron Bytdon has a unique feature. "Everything comes from water and everything starts with water. I smiled because there is a lot of water this year, but in fact, it is a great tradition among the Udmurts to glorify water, to ask for rain," Uraskin said. Part of the rituals for calling rain, as it turned out, was also shown in the theatrical performance. "God forbid, they call it," joked the president of "Udmurt Kenesh."

      The honored guests of Giron Bytdon were dressed in stylized blue shirts with red patterns. The main element of the Udmurt costume is the kushak – one of the symbols that serves as a protective talisman.

      "Bright flowers in the wreath of the multinational culture of the republic"

      "For us, it is a special pride to host a holiday on a republican scale for the second time," said Vadim Nikitin, welcoming the guests of Giron Bytdon. The head of the district also noted that the Mamadysh land is a multinational region. Representatives of different peoples learn from each other, adopt traditions, and build their future together. Holidays of different national cultures are equally celebrated in the district, and this work will continue, Nikitin assured.

      "Giron Bytdon is a wonderful Udmurt holiday, Uyay – Chuvash, Semyk – Mari, Valda Shinyas – Mordovian, Ivan Kupala – Ukrainian, Sabantuy – Tatar, Karavon – Russian. These wonderful folk holidays are like bright flowers in the wreath of the multinational culture of our republic," said Yuri Kamaltynov, congratulating everyone present on the holiday.

      Then he presented state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan to distinguished individuals: medals "For Valorous Labor," "For Merits in the Development of Local Self-Government," as well as the honorary title "Honored Teacher of the Republic of Tatarstan."

      Artists from the Udmurt Theater of Folk Song and Dance "Aykai," creative teams from Tatarstan and Udmurtia, Udmurt pop singers, and children's groups from the Mamadysh district performed before the guests. The performance concluded with the ceremonial transfer of a wooden duck from the Udmurts of the Mamadysh district to the Udmurts of the Agryz district, where the next year's Giron Bytdon will take place.

      The next folk holiday is Pitrau

      Speaking before the guests of Giron Bytdon, the former head of the Mamadysh district, now a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Anatoly Ivanov reminded that the holiday of Udmurt culture has been held for the 29th time – since 1998. Next year will be a jubilee. "I want to thank Rustam Nurgalievich [Minnihanov] for responding, and for the first time, 3 million rubles were allocated for the celebration of this holiday. A swampy place has been turned into a beautiful corner," he said.

      On the eve of the holiday, Damir Natfullin noted that the Mamadysh district is the only one in the republic that has taken on the organization of two national holidays. On July 18, the Republican holiday of Kriashen culture "Pitrau" will take place in the village of Zyuri. "This is a distinctive feature. When the district leadership itself comes up with such an initiative, it means that significant attention is paid to culture. This cannot but please us as the Ministry of Culture," Natfullin told "Tatar-inform."

      Photo: © Zhamil Salimgareev / "Tatar-inform"