Kyrchyn Village Opening Ceremony
Arriving in Kyrchyn Village
Every two years, countries from around the world all converge on the mountainous Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan to compete in contests ranging from archery to wrestling. The center of the World Nomad Games may be located by the banks of Issy Kul in the popular beach town of Cholpon Ata, but its heart and soul is nestled in the Kkychyn Gorge. The rolling green hills and tall pine trees stand at the base of proud majestic mountains. As the time for the opening ceremonies draws closer, representatives from around the country bring their horses, yurts, and local culture with them to the valley.
The village is not only divided into nine camps, one for each province of Kyrgyzstan, the international village also showcases culture from foreign countries as well, with delegates coming anywhere from the United States to the UAE. As the yurts are finished being set up, the rich green valley looks as if it has been sprinkled with clusters of white. Spectators then begin to make the 40km treck from Cholpon Ata up into mountains. The lines of tourist vans and vintage Ladas all snake up into the valley to witness a true display of nomadic culture.
Want to check out more about the World Nomad Games? Click here!
The Horseback Performers
Before the foreign delegates, journalists, and VIP guests fill the stands and tourists lay out blankets on the grass facing the stadium, the performers of the Opening Ceremony can be seen lounging in the treeline at the edge of the village. Most festival goers are too distracted by the lively performances and colorful tents to take notice of the warrior-like actors emerging from the forest. The performers are hard to pick out in the crowd as well. The leather-clad horsemen truly blend in, most locals are all wearing traditional clothing which adds to the feeling that you are truly walking through a war camp of Genghis Khan himself. The World Nomad Games is not the only event where these acrobats perform and do stunts on horseback. They also do competitions around the world, most recently they have even been awarded 1st place in Turkey for their theatrics and horsemanship. Other than just being a group of circus performers, there are also many riders who are couples. The couples are particularly useful when displaying the Kyrgyz custom of Kyz kuu, when a woman and her suitor are both on horseback and the man has to catch the woman to win her favor.
The Opening Ceremony
Security was tight as the droves of tourists reluctantly made their way to the stands and fields around the stadium. These opening ceremonies in Kyrgyzstan are known for being long and drawn out, most people would much rather explorer the yurt camps themselves than being bunched together in a confined space in the heat. The intense security was due to no other than President Sooronbay Jeenbekov himself was expected to make an appearance. The entrance, as well as a few scattered wooden towers, were built to create more of the illusion that guests were entering a medieval camp. A grand stage was placed directly in front of the grandstands, surrounded by collections of yurts. After everyone got settled in their seats or on their blankets in the field, the dramatic music began to fade in and the actors emerged from their yurts to kick off the opening ceremony to the World Nomad Games.
A Romanticized Nomadic Life
The performance dramatizes the birth of the Kyrgyz people and romanticizes their history and nomadic past. Much of the story being played out on stage was taken from the Epic of Manas, the national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Upbeat music blares from the speakers as actors across the main stage and field partake in various dances and games to further illustrate this Kyrgyz utopian society. The riders, who were once lazily snoozing in the forest, now ride into the stadium full-speed performing various tricks and acrobatics. The host of the Opening Games was no other than King Manas himself who stood center stage with his long white robes and wispy white beard. The performance is all in Kyrgyz, leaving foreign tourists to guess what is actually being said. The overall gist of the show was to show the importance of Kyrgyzstan during the Silk Road as well as the historical and modern friendships between the Kyrgyz people and the outside world.
Drawn Out Theatrics
The audience continued to watch on as performers depicting Arab, Chinese, and European traders all dressed in traditional clothing, arrived to pay tribute to the great King Manas. After nearly 45 minutes of processions leading onto the stage, they Kyrgyz people were attacked by evil barbarians. A dramatic battle ensued as the two armies clashed center stage. The villagers even took up what farm equipment they could to fight against the brutish enemy, showing the will and courage of the Kyrgyz people. The singing, dancing, and acrobatics throughout this performance eventually became quite redundant. Many of the performances were the very same routines that tourists saw the day before during the Opening Ceremony at the Hippodrome. Finally, the theatrics drew to a close and with one last dance number the music subsided.
Days of Games and Demonstrations
The Kyrgyz President and the Prime Minister from Hungary walked to the main stage hand in hand as the performers were stuck in a freeze frame from the dance finale. The two heads of state stood side by side as President Sooronbay Jeenbekov addressed the audience and formally welcomed tourists to Krychyn village. As soon as they finished speaking, a legion of Hungarian warriors, flag in hand, stormed the field and began their own demonstration of horsemanship and archery. As the Hungarians bolted up and down the field, swinging their swords, the Russian athletes anxiously waited by the gates for their turn to show off their own skills. For the next week, the stadium was constantly occupied by participants from each country showcasing their own traditional sports and culture.
Welcome to the World Nomad Games
The performances and demonstrations in the stadium are unceasing from September 3erd to the 7th. Sadly for those athletes, the stands largely remained empty. The main excitement and pull of the Krychyn Village were, of course, the yurt camps themselves. There were constantly singing, dancing, and judged events elsewhere in the valley which attracted most of the crowds. As long and drawn out as the Opening Ceremony was, it did set the tone for the rest of the week. The gorge had a certain atmosphere about it, transporting guests to a time of nomadic herders and mesmerizing traditions. The World Nomad Games is truly a place where the fantasy of emerald steeples and horseback warriors come to life. Unfortunately, the World Nomad Games will be taking a break from being held in Kyrgyzstan. In 2020 the games will be officially turned over to Turkey and then to another country for 2022. There is still hope, however, in 2024 there is speculation that the games will make a grand return to their home country of Kyrgyzstan. Once again reviving the age-old nomadic traditions which make this culturally rich country so special.
The World Nomad Games may be gone, but be sure to check out the yearly horse festival!
