Bayterek 2022

Just after the Covid-19 pandemic had wound down, Bayterek’s cultural capital year coincided with another force majeure – start of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine. This meant that Bayterek’s events would have a primarily domestic focus – it was no more realistic to expect visitors from Estonia, Finland and elsewhere from the West. Still, Bayterek succeeded to raise its visibility in Udmurtia, RF and the wider Finno-Ugric world and ensured the continuity of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture programme.

• The opening ceremony on 28 February was attended by guests from Udmurtia and Tatarstan, including a delegation from the Udmurt village Bygy as the first Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture (2014).
• The project “ Finno-Ugric House”, which received a presidential grant, was aimed at transferring Udmurt traditions to the young generation.
• Flagship event of the year was an ethno-futuristic festival “Bay-Terek” held on 23 July, where 28 folklore ensembles presented to over 1000 participants Udmurt and Mari cultural heritage. The festival also included degustations of Udmurt and other Finno-Ugric cuisines.

• In May, Bayeterek cultural centre was awarded the title of the best rural cultural centre in Udmurtia.
• Raised visibility of Bayterek thanks to professional communication / PR work.
• The project created good preconditions for the sustainable development of the village, including via cultural tourism and Finno-Ugric cooperation.
• Positive experience of relocating the Secretariat of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture into Udmurtia (capital city Izhevsk) for the year, staffed with an Udmurt team of cultural managers. In particular, this contributed to fundraising and communication.