RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
Kyrgyzstan’s Hills Come Alive With The Sound Of Nomads
RFE/RL’s photographer was on hand to capture the hoof-thumping action as the mountain venue of Kyrgyzstan’s Nomad Games opened on September 3.
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Riders stand atop their horses as they speed past the crowds.
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Spectators gather to watch the action. According to AFP, around 1,000 foreign visitors attended these games. Along with the apparent increase in tourists from the 2016 event, there was a noticeable increase in peddling, with men attempting to sell horseback rides and selfies with eagles. RFE/RL was approached by one young local trying to sell a map that had come free as part of the press goodie bag.
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Another traditional Turkic challenge played out as jousters engaged in high-speed passes. Amid the dust-clouded chaos of the ceremony, it was sometimes hard to tell if tumbles were choreographed or painfully accidental.
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As the opening ceremony drew to a loudly applauded close, VIPs choppered out of the gorge and locals tried out other entertainment, including this man-made lakelet.