Ysyakh

Ysyakh

June 21-22This is a celebration of the midnight sun, observed in the Yakut region in the northeastern part of Russia on the Summer Solstice. In 1992 the Yakut Autonomous Soviet Republic became the Republic of Sakha (the Yakut people's name for themselves) within the Russian Federation.
The festivities include foot races, horse races, and often sled dog and reindeer races. Folk dancing and feasting—primarily on boiled beef and kumiss, or fermented mare's milk—complete the celebration, which often goes on all night.
CONTACTS:
Tourist Agency of the Republic of Sakha
5 Oktyabrskaya St.
Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha 677027 Russia
7-401-235-1144; fax: 7-401-235-0897
www.yakutiatravel.com/eng/main.htm
Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Sakha
10 Ordjonikidze St.
Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha 677000 Russia
7-401-234-2328; fax: 7-401-234-2765
www.minpred.ru
SOURCES:
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 707