The sport resort Sorochany in the suburbs of Moscow has turned into ETHNOLAND, a unique park of the world culture festivals open from 14 July to 27 August. The project is based on the ideas of the ETHNOLIFE movement, the initiators of which arrange various environment-friendly fests and charitable actions in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia and CIS.

ETHNOLAND stands for ‘the land of world traditions and cultures’. In opposition to the culture of rock festivals and modern discos with alcohol and drugs as indispensable attributes ETHOLAND comes forward with the alternative of healthy recreation. According to the organizers’ concept for two months the place will be embodying a smaller replica of the Earth. Here one can get acquainted with the arts and crafts of various nations of the world, visit ethnic villages (Russian, Chinese, Indian, etc.) and numerous art and photo exhibitions, take part in a variety of tea ceremonies, take a ride on a rope-way, and rise into the sky in an air-balloon.

Moreover, the guests are offered a wide range of recreational activities: the best practices of spiritual and physical development will be trained here. Representatives of various schools will give workshops and trainings in yoga, Chi Kung, martial arts, etc.

Every week-end ETHNOLAND holds topical festivals dedicated to cultures of nations of Russia, Africa, Latin America, Japan, China, India, and others, at which the participating countries present their artists, musicians, and dancers. The festival program also involves festivals of animated cartoons, documentary and feature films, the festival ‘Martial Arts of the World’, as well as numerous exhibitions of artists, photographers, and publicists.

The project, as the festival press-release reads, helps up the realization of important state programs for the healthier nation, development and strengthening of international relations, formation of inter-ethnic and religious tolerance, and revival of folk traditions in Russia.

The festival opened on 14 July with performances of the famous musicians Olga Arefieva and Sergey Letov. Even pouring rain could not spoil the atmosphere and the elated mood of the festival guests. Next day sunny weather added to the utterly positive spirits of the folks. If on the first day the viewers were not so many, this day the dancing in front of the stage was full and overflowing with sunny emotions. People danced, swam in the Yakhroma River, and entertained themselves in many various ways ETHNOLAND offers in plenty. At the day time the major stage presented folk music ensembles, such us Kupala, Romoda, Veretentse, Kazachy Krug, Chukotka. Not far from the stage there were fisticuffs from the club ‘Bely Volk’ (White Wolf), the Russian folk game of lapta, and a workshop on the art of ceramics. In the evening the major stage attracted the public to enjoy the performances of some remarkable music bands, such as Volga, Mila Kikina, Titlo, Reel Road, and the public’s favorites Umka and Bronevik.

‘We were happily surprised to get an invitation to the festival’, - said Umka later – ‘the atmosphere is very positive here. This is not drunken dances like those common at other open-airs, but pure interchange of positive energy among happy people.’

To make the recreation more comfortable the park offers cottage hotels, exotic tent settlements, a guarded parking, a wi-fi internet café, and a press centre.

Concert program for the next events:

21-23 July, Latino Fest

    Celia Mara (Austria), Lenine (Brazil), Latino-American Show "SALSA BOYS", «Carnival Drums Show MarakatU», «Maryachos» (Mexico), and «Bubamara brass band».

    22 July ‘Fiery Circus’ Show

28-30 July, ETHNOLIFE Fest

Marlene Dorcena (Belgium), DJ Christian Kessler(Germany), Safety Magic, Zventa-Sventana, Alissid Jazz, Bobry, Osimira, Gurzuf, Indrik-Zver, DimoSS sound system, Unanga, Nachalo Veka, and Moi Drug Gruzovik.

4-6 August, Fest ‘The Many Faces of Asia’

    Huun Huur Tu (Tuva), Shеmirani Brother (Iran), Ross Daly Band (Crete)

11-13 August, Fest ‘Prodigious India’

    Fun-Da-Mental (England)

18-20 August, Oriental Fest ‘A Thousand and One Nights’

    Natacha Atlas (Belgium), Yulduz Usmanova (Uzbekistan)

25-27 August, Afro-Beat Fest

    Geoffrey Oryema (Uganda)

Site of the Festival: www.ethnoland.ru

Vera Ivanova, 21 July 2006