Event boasting broken records and authentic flavors
In the heart of Kazakhstan, the city of Astana played host to the annual BaiQymyz gastronomic festival, a celebration that aims to preserve and promote Kazakh traditions, particularly the unique and culturally significant drink, kymyz.
This year's event attracted over 70,000 guests, making it a resounding success. The festival served as a platform for over 50 kymyz producers from across Kazakhstan to showcase their products, fostering national pride and awareness of Kazakh gastronomy.
BaiQymyz is not just a gastronomic event; it also advances scientific and cultural understanding of kymyz. An international conference was held during the festival, exploring the drink's medicinal properties and its role in nomadic health and longevity. This dual focus on tradition and science highlights kymyz's importance beyond gastronomy, positioning it as a symbol of Kazakh heritage and wellness.
The festival had a competitive element, with prize money awarded to the best kymyz producers based on popular vote. This stimulates quality production and innovation within this traditional craft. The event also showcased related products derived from mare's milk, such as soaps and cosmetics, expanding the cultural and commercial impact.
BaiQymyz also encourages the development of Kazakh cuisine on an international level. The organisers aim to transform the festival into a global brand akin to Oktoberfest, with a combination of tastings, cultural performances, and exhibitions underlining its role in promoting Kazakhstan’s culinary identity domestically and abroad.
The first exhibition of horses, "Eр Qanaty", was also a notable feature at this year's BaiQymyz festival. It showcased various elite horse breeds, further emphasising the deep-rooted connection between Kazakh culture and equestrianism.
The festival received great support from guests and residents of Astana, contributing to the popularization of Kazakh traditions and the development of local farming. Guests could taste various types of kymyz, watch masterclasses, buy souvenirs, see an exhibition of Kazakh horses, participate in national sports competitions, enjoy a concert, and take selfies with national treasures.
Moreover, Almaty ceramist Gaziz Jumabekov was reviving the ancient Kazakh instrument, the saz-syrnai, at the festival. Each saz-syrnai is fired in a kiln at a temperature of around a thousand degrees.
The BaiQymyz festival also collected a record-breaking 30 tons of koumiss, the fermented mare’s milk valued for its cultural and health benefits. Gulnara Bolatbayeva presented koumiss from the village of Sarzhal, Abai region, at the festival. Farmers from all over the country demonstrated ancient recipes and approaches to livestock farming at the event.
The festival included an award for the best kumys producers, with a total prize fund of 45,000,000 tenge. The winners of the first-place prize were from Abai region's Sarly village and the "Zhanyz" farm.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev considers "Eр Qanaty" a movement for preserving Kazakh equestrian culture. Nurlan Zhakibayev, a Yakutian farmer, also attended the festival representing the Yakutian kubuz.
In summary, the BaiQymyz festival plays a critical role in revitalizing Kazakh cultural heritage, promoting the unique gastronomy centered on kymyz, stimulating local economies, and enhancing Kazakhstan’s cultural visibility globally.
At the BaiQymyz festival, the rich tapestry of Kazakh culture was presented through various aspects, including food-and-drink, travel, lifestyle, and cultural-travel. The festival served as a platform for over 70,000 guests to immerse themselves in Kazakh traditions, learn about the medicinal properties of kymyz, and explore related products such as soaps and cosmetics. Additionally, cultural-travel enthusiasts could witness a first exhibition of horses, "Eр Qanaty", and experience traditional Kazakh activities, like masterclasses, national sports competitions, and cultural performances. The festival thereby encourages a deeper understanding and appreciation of Kazakh heritage and wellness, as well as bolstering Kazakhstan’s culinary identity on an international level.
