...here are the pictures!
As some of you may know Yakutia is the coldest place on Earth. We've got there -72°C/-162°F in the 20th last century! Now it's not that dramatical at all, though the summer has very special meaning for us Yakuts (or Sakha in our language). It is the nature's rebirth, beginning of the new cyclus in the life. It's not only the beginning of the new year for us, it is the birthday of all of us. After long, really long winter Yakuts met each other, told news, enjoyed the summer's beginning and celebrated rituals for the Sky, Nature and Earth. The fundamental meaning of this celebration is continuation of life, immortality of human race, appeal to happiness and well-being, longevity and good crop to survive the next winter.
Ysyakh is a celebration which carries folklore signs, such as the language, mythology, dances, music, ceremonies and traditions, useful arts and architecture, traditions of cookery, games, and as a whole folk's philosophy. So who would take care of our children, born far away from Yakutia, when not ourselves? And tell them about their second homeplace, to help them to keep in touch with the language of Sakha, our traditions and culture. That was the reason why I started the association called Sakha Sire which means Yakutia. It was the first Ysyakh in Austria.
The first day was reserved for sightseeing and to get to know each
other because nobody saw each other before, in the real life. We
started on Salzburg's most beautiful place, the garden Mirabell. There
is the best view on our fortress, the Hohensalzburg.
The palace Mirabell with its very famous wedding hall, lots of people
from all over the world would like to get married there.
Our Yakut flag and expats from Austria, Sweden, Germany, Latvia,
Northern Caucasia, and our guest from Yakutia are on this pic.
We saw wonderful exhibition at the Baroque Museum dedicated to antique art
of creating such unique masterpieces with linen, needle and hands only. By the way, I'll take classes there. The exhibition is open till October.
on the Makart bridge, after Mozart's museum - the house he used to live
We then went to a traditional austrian restaurant, Mozart's birthhouse,
wax museum, Salzburg museum, museum of modern art. Then met each other
again at my home. Here we are going to dance Osuokhay - our traditional
kind of dance.
Sasha from Milan is playing Khomus, our traditional music instrument,
known as well as vargan by several nationalities around the world
Maya, 7 months, the youngest guest of our Ysyakh from Sweden, she wears Yakut traditional clothes
On the next day, after sightseeing and get-together-evening which was until
late night we met each other again at my home. Prepared everything for
the celebration - the meal from all over the world
At the park, where we asked for spirit's blessing and protection for all of us
We've also got very simple chiffon dresses, it is the best
way to show the beauty of our jewelries. That's a wonderful example,
only silver cuffs, 20 cm in the height, are missed here
We played quiz about Yakutia. Souvenirs as prizes were brought from
Latvia, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden, Czech Republik and Germany. Sang Yakut and Russian songs (geographically Yakutia belongs to Siberia, Russia). Laughed, ate and told stories.
Late at night, everyone happy, satisfied and full of memories of warm-hearted people - it was our first Ysyakh in Austria. Looking forward for more meetings in the future!