Cossack Festival Tugulym Bratina Celebrates Heritage in Late July
Tugulym Hosts Sixth Annual Cossack Heritage Festival "Tugulym Bratina"
This year, for the sixth time, the picturesque meadow near the village of Yetarsky in Tugulym District will host the Tugulym Bratina Cossack heritage festival. In Cossack culture, the bratina—a communal drinking bowl—symbolizes hospitality. The festival's core mission is to preserve Cossack traditions, engage young people, and boost tourism in Tugulymsky District. The event has also been nominated for the Heritage of the Middle Urals 2026 competition.
Traditionally held in late July, the festival draws Cossacks and guests from across the Urals. Visitors to the meadow near Yetarsky can expect traditional competitions, sabre demonstrations, equestrian performances, a crafts fair, and an unforgettable atmosphere of unity.
Tugulym welcomes anyone fascinated by Cossack culture, history, and spirit. What began as a modest celebration in the village of Ilyinsky has grown into a major interregional gathering spanning multiple regions.
"The festival's name is no accident," explains Roman Geier, one of the organizers. "In Cossack tradition, the bratina represents hospitality. At the opening ceremony, guests are served kvass from a large communal bowl, passed around the circle. The word Tugulym in the title underscores the event's deep connection to this land."
With interregional status, last year's festival attracted nearly a thousand participants from Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, and Kurgan regions, as well as other areas. Families with children come to enjoy nature, join the cultural program, and camp under the open sky.
Attendees can watch performances by Cossack groups, including Tyumen's patriotic club Krechet, which showcases flank-riding drills, sabre techniques, and equestrian skills. The festival also features workshops, an artisan market, field kitchens, and relaxation zones. Children can enjoy rides and pony rides.
On the second day, fish soup is cooked over a campfire as participants reflect on the festival's highlights.
"The festival's main goal is to uphold Cossack traditions, inspire young people, and develop tourism in Tugulymsky District," Geier notes. "There are plans to establish a Cossack eco-village near the festival site—a symbol of purity, traditional life, and cultural heritage."
The event is organized with support from the Tugulym Municipal District administration, local Cossack communities, and the House of Culture.
Earlier, Oblastnaya Gazeta reported that applications are still being accepted for the public recognition award Heritage of the Middle Urals.
