International Cultural and Ecological Festival Held on Issyk-Kul

Bishkek, August 10 /Xinhua — From August 9 to 10, an international cultural and ecological festival ‘Snow Leopard | Ak Ilbirs’ was held in the picturesque jailoo Karala-Archa on the southern shore of Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Lake, attracting hundreds of guests from Kyrgyzstan and foreign countries. As reported by the festival organizers, the event combined science, art, and the traditions of nomadic peoples, with its main goal being to draw attention to the protection of the snow leopard and the development of sustainable ecotourism. During the festival, guests participated in scientific lectures and discussions on the biodiversity of the Tian Shan mountains. They were shown hunting traditions of Salburun, horse races, archery, and performances by berkutchi. Ecologists and zoologists from Kyrgyzstan, other SCO countries, Turkey, and Western countries shared new data on the state of the population of the rare predator and measures for its preservation. The cultural program included the epic ‘Manas’ performed by manaschi, folk poetry of akyns, melodies of komuz players, and performances by ethno-ensembles. Spectators watched national games such as ordo, toguz korgool, and alysh with interest. Eco-zones without plastic operated on the festival grounds, where workshops on waste recycling and sustainable living were held. The highlight was the mountain race ‘In the Footsteps of the Snow Leopard’ held on August 10. Participants from various countries overcame picturesque routes along the slopes of the Tian Shan. As noted by the festival organizers, the event is planned to be held annually. This will help make it an important part of the country’s tourist calendar and a platform for international cooperation in ecology and cultural heritage preservation.