PHOTO: Nomad civilization festival to be held in Astana until July 6

Nomad civilization festival called Millenniums around Astana and timed to the Capital Day will be held in Kazakhstan capital on July 3-6, Tengrinews.kz reports. The nomads have “inhabited” the area next to Khan Shatyr mall. They installed yurts (Kazakh national nomad tents), play national musical instruments, make household amenities, accessories, clothes and eat national food and drink Kumys (national mare's milk drink). According to organizers, the festival emphasizes the unity of opposites, the city and steppes cultures, past and present. The event's main objective is to widely show nomads' lifestyle and teach respect to the origins of Kazakh national culture. Kazakh and Turkic music nights will be held for three days at the square styled as a Khan's (chief's) tent. Besides, the audience will be able to watch a horse show which already impressed the cinema stars who visited the festival a day before. The delegation of the Second ASTANA International Action Film Festival took part in the first day of the nomads festival. Avatar star Michelle Rodriguez tried national drinks and liked Kumys the most. She also held the golden eagle on her hand and tried Kazakh national swings Alty Bakan. By Vladimir Dmitriyev