On 13-14 July 2024, the 300th anniversary of the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi was also celebrated in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan as part of the Delicious Kazan gastronomic festival.
The celebration of the poet’s anniversary, which was organized by the Consulate General of Turkmenistan in Kazan, was held in the spirit of the festival. The highlight was a masterclass on preparing traditional Turkmen dishes – pilaf and yarma – cooked over a campfire. Skilled chefs demonstrated the art of their craft, revealing the secrets and intricacies of these popular dishes. Festival attendees, captivated by the process, eagerly asked questions and lined up for a taste of the finished meals.
While everyone was waiting in the warm summer weather for the already cooked pilaf to brew, the Turkmen chefs treated people to hot tungche tea, also cooked over a campfire, in the spirit of a real Turkmen tea party.
Meanwhile, on the main stage, the musical duo “Dutaryň sesi” (Sounds of Dutar) captivated the audience with melodies played on the traditional dutar instrument. They performed songs inspired by Magtymguly Fragi’s poems, drawing enthusiastic applause.
At the end of the festival, when all the dishes were ready, the participants were able to enjoy Turkmen national dishes. In addition to the tasting, an exquisite buffet was organized for the high-ranking guests, where they could appreciate the skills of the Turkmen chefs and the variety of dishes presented.
This celebration not only introduced residents and visitors of Kazan to the rich tapestry of Turkmen cuisine but also honored the legacy of Magtymguly Fragi. It served as a beautiful bridge, further strengthening cultural ties between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan.
It is worth noting that the Delicious Kazan Gastronomic Festival is an annual event that gathers culinary masters, gastronomic enthusiasts and lovers of national cuisine from all over Russia and neighboring countries under one roof.