Ulaanbaatar
Aisholpan partakes in Eagle Festival 2017
PoliticsUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ In the margin of the Winter of Nomads 2017 events, an Eagle Festival was held at the Chinggisiin Khuree tour camp on March 5. The ‘Eagle Hutress’ Aisholpan, 17, was invited along with 20 other eagle hunters, coming all the way from the most western province of Mongolia.
The festival boasted a large number of audience as the participants exhibited the unique culture of hunting with eagles, originated from the second largest ethnic group in Mongolia the Kazakh nation, most of whom live in Bayan-Ulgii aimag.
Minister of Environment and Tourism D.Oyunkhorol said in the opening speech: “Eagle festivals are being organized every year in March and October at Chinggisiin Khuree camp and in Bayan-Ulgii aimag with a purpose of presenting the nomadic traditions and culture”.
According to her speech, the event was organized by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Governor Office of Bayan-Ulgii aimag and the Federation of Eagle Hunters.
More than 2,000 people went to the festival, including foreign and national tourists.
The original Eagle Hunters’ Festival has been taking place annually for the last 20 years attracting most number of international and national tourists compared to other annual events.
This year's special guest Aisholpan is turning 17 years old. The girl has become the youngest and first-ever female champion of the Eagle Hunters' Festival held in Bayan-Olgii three years ago. She was in the spotlight in Mongolia, as well as in the world, as she trains her birds and hunts with eagles just like her father and brothers. Aisholpan, whose name literally means "the morning star", became the heroine of the BCC documentary named "The Eagle Huntress".
The Winter of Nomads 2017 package of events are bringing the intriguing winter activities as near as possible to urban centers and paved roads, so that tourists can experience Mongolia’s winter activities in comfort.
The package also included the Blue Pearl ice festival, took place on the frozen Lake Huvsgul last week, and the Camel Festival being held today in Bulgan soum of Umnugobi (South Gobi) aimag.
Photo credit to ikon.mn
