Kyrgyzstan: 'Echo of Nomads' festival begins as Kyrgyzstan hosts 6th World Nomad Games.

.KYRGYZSTAN - SEPT. 2, 2026 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “GOVERNMENT OF KYRGYZSTAN” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— The "Echo of Nomads" International Ethno-Song Festival opened Wednesday, Sept. 2, as part of the 6th World Nomad Games hosted by Kyrgyzstan, bringing together vocal artists from 49 countries. The festival opened at the Cholpon-Ata Hippodrome on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, attended by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ulan Mamatkanov and Deputy Minister of Culture Salkin Sarnogoyeva. Artistic Director Altynbek Maksutov and General Director Rinat Murzayev led the production of the ethno-song event. Simultaneously at the nearby Kyrchyn Plateau also saw the ceremonial opening of an ethno-city titled "The World of Nomads: A Living Heritage." The complex features traditional Kyrgyz felt tents, known as bozuy, erected by regional administrations to display handicrafts, traditional attire, and folk customs. The World Nomad Games, which feature traditional horseback sports, archery, and cultural performances across eight venues in the Issyk-Kul region, will run through Sept. 6. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev visited the ethno-city on the plateau and noted that new infrastructure built for the Games, including upgraded roads and venue facilities, is designed to support long-term tourism growth in the region.