This year, the festival brought together 176 eagle hunters and over 50 Tazy dog breeders and trainers. Along with Kazakhstan, representatives from China, Georgia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Uzbekistan participated in the competitions.
The large-scale competitions, held at the "Burkit Tobe" ethno-complex in the village of Bozanbay, Ulansky District, aimed at popularizing the hunting traditions of the Kazakh people and presenting the national heritage at an international level.
Eagle hunters and falconers gathered at the "Burkit Tobe" arena, for whom working with birds of prey is not merely a athletic competition, but an art requiring years of experience, patience, and a special mutual understanding with the feathered hunter. Participants demonstrated their mastery in handling golden eagles, falcons, and hawks, as well as presenting the falconry traditions of their respective countries.
50 snow-white yurts were erected on the territory of the ethno-complex, where guests were introduced to the traditions, culture, and crafts of the Kazakh people, as well as the history and tourism potential of the region's cities and districts.
The Open Cup, organized in Asia for the first time, serves as a significant cultural event designed to widely promote the rich heritage of hunting with birds of prey and pass it down to future generations. These international competitions introduce visitors to the hunting traditions of different countries and strengthen cultural ties.
The history of "Shyghys Salburyny" began in 2021 with eagle hunting competitions in Bozanbay. The first tournament was held under the title "Qansonar," and since 2022, the event has been conducted as the "Shyghys Salburyny" International Festival. Today, the event reaches a new level, having been included in the calendar of major events of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan for 2026.
In addition to the bird hunting contests, the festival featured competitions in national sports, Tazy dog races, wild horse taming, horseback archery, and coin picking on horseback. The program also included an artisan craft fair, a concert featuring renowned artists, and the awards ceremony for the winners.
Thus, the "Shyghys Salburyny" festival combined several directions at once: athletic rivalry, exposure to the cultures of different countries, and the preservation of traditions passed down through generations. For Bozanbay, it is an opportunity to declare itself on an international scale, and for guests, a chance to witness the ancient art of nomads in live action rather than in a museum display.
This year, the region was visited by a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Commission of Kazakhstan for UNESCO. Commission representatives noted that Bozanbay provides ideal conditions for preserving ancient customs and passing unique skills to the next generations. According to them, it is vital that masters can share their expertise not only with locals, but also with international guests.
The tradition also possesses an international prospective. In official UNESCO materials for 2026, an application has been submitted to include the festival featuring Tazy dogs and golden eagles in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The art of falconry itself is already inscribed on this list, making Kazakhstan one of the participating countries in this international nomination.
Source: caravan.kz
