Other events in Baltic States

On June 7, 2014 in Riga (11:00), within the framework of the program "RIGA-EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2014", the first European Sabantuy will be held. The venue of the Tatar and Bashkir folk holiday Sabantuy will be the "Vērmanes Garden", a central park in Riga, informed BC Ramil Kadyrov.

The First European Sabantuy will be attended by Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, who will arrive to Riga at the invitation of the Riga City Council and the Tatars living in Latvia.

What is Sabantuy?

"Saban" in the Tatar language means "plough", and “tuy” –“holiday”. In the Bashkir language it is „Һабантуй”. The holiday is celebrated at the end of the spring sowing works. The purpose of Sabantuy is to preserve national cultural traditions of Tatars and Bashkirs, fostering respect for the traditions of different peoples, development of the succession of generations. The folk holiday Sabantuy has been celebrated over a thousand years. In Latvia, the Tatars and Bashkirs have celebrated Sabantuy for more than 20 years.

Riga as the venue for the First European Sabantuy was chosen deliberately. The Latvian capital since ancient times has been a city with a rich cultural life; therefore, it is not surprising that this city was honoured to become the European Capital of Culture 2014.  The program of the Tatar-Bashkir folk festival will be a pleasant surprise for everyone: inhabitants of Riga will have an opportunity to get to know the neighbours, tourists and visitors will have an opportunity to learn something new, and the Tatars and Bashkirs – to show the beauty and values of their national culture.

During the celebration, various competitions take place (Spoon Race, Sack-Fight, Beating the Pot, traditional Tatar battle „koresh”, weight-lifting contests etc. The program of the festival includes performances of creative groups (folk songs, folk dances etc).

It is a wonderful and memorable event featuring competitions, games, music, dances, traditional Tatar and Baskir food and, what is most important, plenty of friendly communication.

The Sabantuy is arranged by the Latvian Tatar-Bashkir Cultural Society "Chishma" and the European Tatar Youth Association, Latvian Tatar Society “Idel”, Baltic international centre “Salavat Yulaev”, Bashkir Kurultay of Latvia. In the preparation and conduct of the Sabantuy the Tatar and Bashkir communities of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic and England will participate.

Sabantuy is supported by Municipality of Riga, Embassy of the Russian Federation, Mardesign, TNV-Planeta, Baltic Media Alliance.