A popular 2016 documentary film about Aisholpan, a young eagle huntress who won the festival’s hunting competition in 2014, helped bring the Altai Kazakh culture to international attention. The number of foreign tourists coming to the festival is growing, with a record of more than 1,000 this year, according to government officials.

The ‘Winter Festival of Altai Nomads’ will be held on 16-17 February in a place named Buhun Uul in Ulgii soum. The event aims to boost winter tourism and to promote tradition and culture of Kazakh nation. During the two days, various activities including an eagle festival, a ceremonial parade showing nomadic culture, traditional games of the Kazakh people such as kokpar- goatskin tug of war on horseback and tenge alu- grab the money as well as horse and camel racing and a wrestling tournament will be held.

The event is co-organised by Governor’s Offices of Bayan-Ulgii province and Altai soum, Provincial Tourism Federation in collaboration with Grand Altai Travel.