The Great Steppe and the Middle Corridor: Symbolism of the V World Nomad Games

The inaugural ceremony of the V World Nomad Games was held on 8 September 2024 at the Astana Arena in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The event saw the participation of over two thousand athletes and official representatives from eighty-nine countries. The V World Nomad Games in Astana will be held by the motto 'Meeting in the Great Steppe'. This is a highly symbolic location, as the modern Kazakhstani steppes were historically situated at the crossroads of trans-Eurasian trade routes, with the Great Silk Road traversing them. The shortest land route between the east and west of Eurasia, known as the Middle Corridor, passes through Kazakhstan.

The event was attended by a number of high-profile political figures, including President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Head of the Republic of Sakha Aysen Nikolayev, former President of Mongolia Nambaryn Enkhbayar, and President of the The World Confederation of Ethnosports was represented by Bilal Erdogan, who was present as a guest of honour at the event held at the Astana Arena stadium. Also in attendance were heads of international organisations, including UNESCO, CICA, the UN World Tourism Organisation, the Organisation of Turkic States, TURKSOY, the Turkic Investment Fund, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, the Islamic Commonwealth of Sports, the Islamic Food Security Organisation, and the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia.

In his opening remarks at the 5th World Nomad Games, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, extended a warm welcome to the participants and guests of the Games, underscoring the significance of this event at the international level. He observed that nomadic civilisations have exerted a profound influence on world history, with the nomads of the Great Steppe representing a particularly significant example. These individuals and groups contributed to global progress through their innovations, including the domestication of horses and the establishment of a horsemanship culture. Tokayev highlighted the contribution of nomadic peoples to the development of cultural exchanges between the East and West. He cited the medieval cities and empires that flourished in Kazakhstan, including the Turkic Kaganates, the Golden Horde, and the Kazakh Khanate. The President observed that the nomadic way of life is undergoing a revival in the context of globalisation, with contemporary nomads continuing to uphold their spirit of freedom and cultural identity. He emphasised that the objective of the Games is to promote nomadic civilisation on a global scale and to reinforce international solidarity through the medium of sport.

The fifth World Nomad Games are scheduled to take place in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, from 8 to 14 September 2024. The motto of the event is "Meeting in the Great Steppe." The most suitable sporting facilities in Astana will be utilised for the 21 competitive sports. The programme of events will include horse races, national wrestling, traditional intellectual games, martial arts competitions, traditional archery, national bird hunting, horseback riding and folk games. A total of 97 medals will be awarded at the Games. It is anticipated that in excess of 100,000 tourists will attend the sporting competitions and cultural events.

It is notable that the V World Nomad Games are scheduled to take place subsequent to the 33rd Summer Olympic Games in Paris, which are set to commence on 26 July and conclude on 11 August 2024. A substantial number of experts and analysts have evaluated the Paris Games as a comprehensive discrediting, degradation, and perversion of the Olympic Movement. The opening and closing ceremonies of the recent Olympics in Paris were notable for their occult and anti-Christian symbolism. Additionally, the atmosphere of the French capital, characterised by social unrest and environmental degradation, contributed to a sense of unease. This was further compounded by controversies surrounding the participation of "sportswomen" of ambiguous gender identity, which appeared to discriminate against traditional female athletes.

The V World Nomad Games, held in the modern capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, demonstrate the global interest in the culture and traditions of nomadic peoples and the necessity for their continued participation in human civilisation. The descendants of nomads and heirs of nomadic civilisation demonstrate to the global community an exemplar of revitalisation in the contemporary era. They exemplify a modern form of ancient communications, freedom and tolerance for individuals of diverse ethnicities and beliefs, striving for mutual enrichment of cultures.

The World Nomad Games are a relatively recent phenomenon, having been established only ten years ago. In a relatively short period of time, the Games have evolved from a local tradition and sporting event to a significant global phenomenon with historical significance. The inaugural World Nomad Games were held in the city of Cholpon-Ata, situated within the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan, from 9th to 14th September 2014. At that time, athletes from 19 countries participated in the event. Subsequently, the World Nomad Games commenced a period of rapid growth in popularity.

The city of Cholpon-Ata has hosted the World Nomad Games on three occasions, with each iteration of the international competition demonstrating an enhanced level of representation. The inaugural Games were held in 2014. A total of 583 athletes from 19 countries participated in the event, which encompassed 10 different sports. The second iteration of the Games was held in 2016. A total of 1,200 athletes from 62 countries participated in the event, which featured 26 different sports. The third iteration of the World Nomad Games was held in 2018. Two thousand athletes from eighty-two countries participated in the event, which encompassed thirty-seven distinct sports. The fourth iteration of the World Nomad Games was held in 2022 in Turkey, in the city of Iznik (historically known as Nicea). The event was attended by nearly three thousand athletes from eighty-two countries, representing thirteen different sports. The Games in 2022 marked a significant departure from their traditional Kyrgyzstan-centric format, becoming a prominent symbol of the Turkic world's collective identity and a testament to the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of Turkic peoples. Additionally, the event showcased the mutually beneficial interactions between Turkic countries and other nations, underscoring the importance of cultural exchange and collaboration in the region.

In a historic first, the World Nomad Games are being held in the capital of the state, which effectively serves as the 'heart' of the Turkic world and the Great Steppe during their tenure. However, the current iteration of the Games is not confined to the steppe and nomadic peoples, nor is it limited to the Turkic and Islamic world. For the first time in a decade, countries from all continents will be represented at the Games, with Australia representing the most distant participating country.
In addition, countries such as Brunei Darussalam, Liberia, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, the Gambia, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic will be participating in this year's World Nomad Games for the first time. Cultural activities will be presented in ethno-aulas by more than 5,600 participants, including singers, dancers and pop stars. Additionally, the Games will feature a scientific programme, which 75 specialists from 12 countries will attend. In particular, the following countries will be represented: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Great Britain, China, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, the USA, Turkey, Uzbekistan and France.

The Astana Games have been designed with a set of clearly defined goals and objectives, which can be summarised as follows:

-The objective is to preserve and revive the culture of nomadic peoples worldwide, thereby strengthening cultural ties between the participating countries.
The objective is to preserve and internationalise the national sports of nomadic peoples worldwide.

- The maintenance of institutions dedicated to developing and promoting ethno-sports on a global scale.

Furthermore, the Games are intended to enhance the tourism potential of the host country.

The 5th World Nomad Games in Astana has the potential to serve as a powerful and dynamic vehicle for promoting the rich cultural and traditional heritage of not only the nomadic Turkic peoples and those with a nomadic past to varying degrees, but also of all peoples with historical ties to the Great Steppe and the traditions of nomadic civilisation. This is particularly pertinent in the present era, when China, mindful of the contribution of nomadic peoples to its history, is simultaneously advancing the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. This will facilitate the most practical and dependable communications along the historic 'Great Steppe' between the diverse countries of Eurasia.

The participants of the 5th World Nomad Games hail from all three South Caucasus countries. The largest contingent of participants was from Azerbaijan. Additionally, Georgia is represented at the V World Nomad Games. It is a documented fact that the practice of nomadic life and seasonal cattle migration to summer and winter pastures are characteristics not only of the Azerbaijani Turks residing in Georgia, but also of certain Georgian groups, particularly the Tushins, Mokhevs, and Mtiuls. It is impossible to understand the history of Georgia without considering the interaction between the Georgian people and Turkic peoples, and the cultural value of this interaction. This is particularly pertinent given that Georgia is currently situated within the Middle Corridor, which traverses the Great Steppe.

Elbrus Mamedov,
Director of the Information Support Centre for Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey Strategic Partnership

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