At its inaugural year in 2025, the Ykt Geek Fest Grand Prix was claimed by a seasoned cosplayer.
In the heart of Siberia, the city of Yakutsk played host to the annual Tuymada Cosplay Festival on August 10th, 2023. This vibrant event brought together a diverse array of digital artists, cosplayers, and anime enthusiasts from far and wide.
One of the most notable participants was Makkartoo, a 19-year-old second-year student who sold her digital art merchandise at the festival. With a passion for her craft, Makkartoo plans to continue her entrepreneurial endeavors even after graduation.
The festival also saw the return of the Savitsky family, who have been participating in the Ykt Geek Fest since 2017. This year, they showcased their largest cosplay yet - Primal Beast with Sniper from Dota 2. Despite starting later due to other commitments, the creation of this impressive cosplay took less time than anticipated.
Newcomers to the festival included cosplayers dressed as characters from the animated hit "K-Pop Demon Huntresses". Alongside these, many characters from anime series like "Demon Slayer", "Magical Battle", and video games such as Dota 2 were present.
The creation of Dota 2's Silencer cosplay, in particular, was a labour of love. It took about 2 months and cost around 30-35 thousand rubles.
The festival was not just a competition, but a community event. The Savitsky family set up a repair station near the stage, helping other cosplayers fix and repair their details. A handmade market was also present, featuring unique products from artisans like Makkartoo. A link to the Telegram chat for Yakutia cosplayers was provided for those interested in staying connected.
The Grand Prize was won by Anna Kwon, a professional cosplayer who makes a living from her passion. However, due to a lack of verifiable information, we are unable to provide details about her winning cosplay at the event.
The festival's organisers ran a promotional campaign using the catchy song "Soda Pop" from the show. Despite fewer representatives of "Chainsaw Man" and "Attack on Titans", the event was a resounding success, with Vasily Bocheodnov receiving the "Master Show" nomination for his portrayal of Sauron.
An interesting exhibit at the festival was a time machine and two costumes from the movie "Back to the Future". These took a whole year to create and cost around 100,000 rubles.
The Egorov sisters and their family, including children and other relatives, traveled all the way from Olenek District to participate in the event, adding to the festival's festive atmosphere.
As the sun set on the stadium "Tuymada", the 2023 Tuymada Cosplay Festival came to a close, marking another successful year of celebrating digital art, cosplay, and anime culture in Yakutsk.
- Makkartoo, the second-year student from Yakutsk, used the Tuymada Cosplay Festival as a platform to showcase her digital art merchandise, demonstrating her dedication to her lifestyle as an entrepreneur.
- The festival offered a blend of entertainment, sports (through the competition), and lifestyle (cosplayers, artists, and anime enthusiasts), underscoring its commitment to catering to a diverse array of interests.
