Altargana

     This summer Altargana came to Ulan-Ude!  It's a special festival that celebrates the Buryat people.  Altargana is every 2 years and travels around to different cities in Mongolia, China, and Russia.  This festival is full of the best of Buryat culture shown through sports, music, competitions, and art.  On the Saturday, our family went to the big stadium that was filled with Buryat artwork from far and wide.  We ran into our friend, Ira, who we hadn't seen for years.  It was fun to go through the exhibits with her.

There were so many amazing displays!

Ella and me, looking into a miniature yurt, complete with furniture and a fire pit!

     Ira overheard that there was a fashion show in the auditorium.  The girls were interested, so we went in to watch.  It was captivating to see the various traditional and modern designs of clothing.  One group of young girls modeled very TALL Buryat hats.  Our kids especially liked that!

     Most of the audience was at the front, but we sat along the side where there was more space.  Ella ran up to stand with the photographers to get a good view.

     We ate a simple lunch together at a cafe in the basement after the fashion show.

There's nothing like a pig in a blanket!

      The next evening Juli called us and offered for her boys to babysit our kids while we went to the closing ceremony of Altargana with her and Alan. We originally had had three different things planned for that evening, but two were cancelled and one was moved to earlier. Our kids were thrilled, and we were, too!  We had to squish Alan and Juli into the van, as we had just bought a new door and the old one was still inside. 

     We ate some pozi (traditional Buryat meat dumplings) quickly outside of the stadium before the start.  This was the first time I'd been to the new sports stadium.

     Athletes, artists, and musicians were awarded grand prizes and honored in front of everyone.  If I remember correctly, I think these men were winners in the archery tournament.

     There were also many beautiful songs and dances on the field.  I was overwhelmed and my heart was filled with such love as I thought of how God created this world and these beautiful Buryat people.  It was one of the highlights of my summer.

     The weather was perfect.  Warm summer evenings are a rare thing here.  We soaked it in and cherished it!