Elizovo Sprint is traditional every year dog sledding competition held in February at the Cosiness Valley not far from Elizovo town known as the Kamchatka gateway because the main local airport is situated here. Ethnic village, concert ground as well as vending stalls, sports and play grounds are arranged at the Cosiness Valley. The best folklore ensembles perform their festive programmes for participants and guests of festival. Mas-wrestling, jumps over dog sleds, national wrestling, running with stick and tug of war competitions are traditionally very spectacular. The greatest attraction especially for children is possibility to be photographed with dog sleds.
The First Fish Festival is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of June in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and in Esso. It is very ancient celebration of all Kamchatka aboriginal peoples (Itelmens, Evens, Koryaks, Aleuts) for whom the fish is the main provision. They believe that if they meet adequately the first fish using special rituals and so lure the fish to the northern rivers they guarantee good catch in the summer season. The best folklore ensembles perform their festive programmes for participants and guests of festival. Everybody who wish can take part in interesting funny competitions and games. Guests have a chance to taste Kamchatka ukha (traditional fresh-fish soup). The holiday is followed with demonstration of national hairstyles and costumes.
The Nurgenek is the Evenk New Year celebrated in June on the day of Summer solstice. Since 1989 enthusiasts from the village of Anavgai (495 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky) mostly populated with Evenkis and Koryaks arrange the Nurgenek (the Dancing Holiday) on this day. Everyone who wishes can join the celebration at the Menedek Nomad Camp ethnographic complex located not far from the village. Celebration begins at midnight. All participants have to step over two ritual fires. Stepping through the first one they say “goodbye” to the old year and leave all their adversity in the fire. Crossing of the second ritual fire symbolizes welcome to the New year. On the Summer Solstice day the Sky Gates are opened so everybody can tie a shred to the sacral tree for the fulfillment of desires. The Nurgenek holiday is rich in different events and usually lasts at least 3 days. The regular holiday rituals are clearing oneself of sins with juniper and presentation to the fire. At the festival you can see works of local craftsmen and purchase authentic handmade souvenirs, attend the concert of national folklore ensembles.
Aboriginal population of the Kamchatka Territory includes Tungusic people of Evenkis, Paleosiberian people of Chukchi, Koryak, Itelmen, Aleuts and specific ethnic and cultural group of Kamchadals. Every year beginning August on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples festival of native peoples of the Kamchatka Territory is held in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and in many villages of the Territory. Programme of festival includes master classes on traditional crafts and demonstration of national costumes. Everyone will be able to play traditional games of the indigenous peoples populating the Kamchatka Territory and to taste dishes of their national cuisine. The festivities will be attended by folk groups, masters of decorative-applied art, representatives of indigenous communities.
Festival of Wild Plants is held on the last Saturday of August by the ALESKAM Community of Indigenous Peoples of Kamchatka located not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Representatives of indigenous peoples occupied with picking and process of wild medicinal herbs, mushrooms, berries, nuts present their products: herbal teas (fees), juices, jams, liqueurs, cedar honey. The guests of the festival have an opportunity to purchase original and ecologic products directly from their manufacturers. Traditionally this event is accompanied with concert of the best folklore ensembles of Kamchatka, games, quizzes, ethnic dances, master classes for birch bark weaving.
The program of festival held at different grounds of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is very diverse: the competitions of narrators, performers of tribal melodies, throat singers, dramatized performances of Kamchatka folklore ensembles and guests from Yakutia, Magadan, Sakhalin, Krasnoyarsk.
Traditionally a part of the Golden Springs Festival is Kamchatka regional festival of craftsmen – the Masters of Uykoal (Uykoal is the name of Kamchatka in the Itelmen language). Visitors of numerous master-classes and creative laboratories have a unique chance not only to be acquainted with work secrets of local masters and take part in their production but also to purchase authentic handmade souvenirs.
The festival takes place beginning September.
Every year Itelmens celebrate the end of summer season and thank the nature for good harvest, meat, fish, mushrooms and berries, bring gifts to Khantai (fish deity: half fish, half human), scare away evil spirits and clear themselves of sins. In the end of September the Alkhalalai folklore holiday is held at the Pimchakh Itelmen ethnographic complex located near Sosnovka village not far from Elizovo town. The programme of the event is designed for audience of all ages and interests. In addition to traditional Itelmen rituals concert of folklore ensembles, master classes for manufacturing of Khantai figurines and products made of fish skin, children’s animation programme, different contests (the Best Handler of Salmon, the Miskh (the best mistress), the Itelmen language songs etc.), exhibition of masters of applied arts products, tasting of national cuisine etc. are arranged. The highlight of the festival is Open Championship of Indigenous Peoples of Kamchatka Dancing which was first held in 1997 and lasted for 1 hour in that time. Today it is actual dance marathon which begins tonight and lasts until noon of the next day!
The Khololo (the Seal Day) is traditional celebration by the Koryak people devoted to the end of hunting and fishing season. The celebration is held in November in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and at some villages populated by Koryaks. Many ancient customs, ritual dances and songs are combined at the Khololo celebration. Guests of the Khololo have a chance to taste original Koryak cuisine, to see national Koryak holiday clothes and tambourines playing. National force, dexterity and prowess competitions are indispensable part of the Khololo holiday.
