ASTANA – With the end of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Kazakhstan won an impressive seven medals, a new chapter in global sport begins. While the world celebrated the festival of modern athletes on the biggest stage, the heart of Central Asia is preparing to host a cultural and sporting event like no other. The World Nomad Games, often referred to as the Olympics of Central Asia, are just around the corner and will bring together the diverse and historically rich cultures of nomadic peoples from around the world.
The closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games took place on August 12 in Paris. Photo credit: National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan.
From September 8 to 13, Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, will be the epicenter of this extraordinary event. Under the motto “The Gathering of the Great Steppe”, the fifth edition of the World Nomad Games will showcase the living traditions, fierce competitions and profound cultural heritage of the nomadic civilizations that once roamed the vast steppes of Eurasia.
Sports spectacles and cultural festivals
The World Nomad Games are a competition and celebration of ancient sports and lifestyles passed down through generations. Over 2,000 participants from around 100 countries will converge in Astana to compete in 21 sports reflecting the skills and traditions of nomadic peoples. Spectators can look forward to exciting events such as Kokpara horse game similar to polo, but played with a goat carcass; Kuresi And Koreshtraditional wrestling styles that require strength and strategy; and Baigea spirited horse race that captures the speed and endurance of the best horses on the steppe.
Photo credit: The Organizing Committee of the 5th World Nomad Games.
Adding even more excitement to the games is a unique ethno village where visitors can immerse themselves in the customs, crafts and culinary delights of the region. The ethno village offers traditional yurt-building demonstrations, folk music performances and interactive workshops that bring the rich traditions of nomadic culture to life.
This year’s World Nomad Games will also feature a scientific conference dedicated to the study and preservation of nomadic heritage. Scientists, historians and enthusiasts from around the world will come together to discuss the significance of nomadic culture in a modern context and explore how these ancient traditions can shape and inspire life today.
Photo credit: The Organizing Committee of the 5th World Nomad Games.
Tickets now available
The World Nomad Games promise to be a spectacular event, combining the thrill of competition with the beauty of cultural exchange. The opening ceremony, scheduled for September 8 at the Astana Arena, promises a grand celebration with performances and pageantry that reflect the spirit of the Great Steppe.
Tickets are on sale now and range from $31 to $104 for the opening ceremony. Tickets for individual sporting events start at $7, making this experience accessible to everyone. Don’t miss the chance to witness a historic event – the World Nomad Games in Astana is an event like no other, where past and present collide and the world comes together to celebrate the enduring legacy of the nomadic way of life.
For further information and to purchase tickets visit www.worldnomadgames.kz.
Photo credit: The Organizing Committee of the 5th World Nomad Games.
