Four hundred “snow leopards” marched along Altai streets
In the capital of the Republic of Altai, the city of Gorno-Altaisk, the XII ecological festival Land of the Snow Leopard was held. According to Altai traditions, the twelfth festival is considered an anniversary.
The largest group of snow leopards in Russia inhabits the Altai Republic. The festival has been held in the region since 2010, traditionally supported by WWF and the World Around You Foundation of Siberian Wellness.
For the first time, the holiday began with a large-scale costume procession, a new competitive nomination. Four hundred "leopards" marched along the main square of the republic. Twenty columns were presented by children's eco-clubs, creative associations and educational institutions of the republic. The columns consist of volunteers, winners of festival contests.
Addressing the participants, Oleg Khorokhordin, the Governor of Altai Republic, recalled that 2022 was declared by the region the Year of the Snow Leopard. In summer architectural composition Territory of the Snow Leopard was opened in the park of culture and recreation of Gorno-Altaisk.
Elena Takhtaeva premiered the Guardian of Altai song at the festival, dedicated to the Year of Snow Leopard.
The dancers of Stimulus dance and recreation studio presented the choreographic performance called Keepers of the Mountain Peaks. The performance was created and staged in 2021 with WWF support. In 2022 the dancers successfully toured the republic throughout the year.
In a special year for the snow leopard, more than 500 children took part in the festival in the municipal and 160 in the final republican stage. In total, 9 nominations were presented to choose from: Best Souvenir, Artistic Snow Leopard, Best Greeting Card, drawing an Irbis, Dad, Mom, I am a Snow Leopard Family, Eco Bag, My Snow Leopard, Miss Kitty Kitty and Mr. Meow and Costume Procession. The best in the new nomination was the Kan-Altai team from Ust-Kansky region.
Totally, this year the festival had more than 90 winners and prize-winners, twenty of which are members of the eco-clubs of WWF and Sailyugemsky National Park. Kosh-Agach district again becomes the absolute winner of the XII Land of the Snow Leopard, Republican Ecological Festiva. The cup is sent to the territory of the snow leopard for the sixth time.