ICHCAP

Kazakhstan hosted the BaiQymyz Festival in its capital city, Astana, from 19 to 20 July. The event was organized to celebrate Kymyz, the traditional fermented dairy drink of Kazakhstan, and to promote awareness of its cultural value.

The festival brought together more than 50 Kymyz producers from across the country and attracted around 70,000 visitors. Each producer offered over 500 liters of Kymyz for free tasting, while showcasing their unique production methods, flavors, and the health benefits of the drink. A total of 30 tons of Kymyz were gathered at the festival, setting a local record for Astana.

Kymyz is a fermented dairy beverage made from mare’s milk that carries both health-related and cultural significance throughout Central Asia. Fresh mare’s milk is poured into a wooden churn called a saba and stirred continuously to ferment, with the maturation process usually lasting between one and three days. Production techniques and smoking practices vary by region and family, resulting in a wide diversity of flavors and aromas.

By providing a platform to introduce and to transmit the knowledge and practices of Kymyz production to the public, the festival not only enhanced recognition of Kazakhstan’s traditional culture but also fostered cultural tourism. Astana is expected to continue promoting local economic vitality and cultural awareness by holding such cultural events.

Reference : https://lrl.kr/WaDa