On March 1 – 3 in the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Helsinki, a presentation of the program “Regions of Russia. Republic in the center of Asia – Tyva.” Republic Tyva is located right in the center of Asia, as evidenced by the obelisk “Center of Asia” in Kyzyl, the capital of the republic. The traditional culture of Tuvans is a culture of nomads. On March 1, the opening of the exhibitions tookplace: black and white photographs “Tuva in the early 20^th century” (author V. Yermolayev); “Archeology of kurgan “Arzhaan-II” of the Scythian period”; souvenirs and national Tuvan costumes; “Religions in Tuva” – ritual paraphernalia of shamanism. Afterwards, a concert was performed on the stage of RCSC. The head of the consulate, T.S. Kleyerova welcomed the Tuvan guests and the audience.

Merited artist of Republic Tyva, Sainkho Namchylak, who received this title in December, 2009, has branched out from the realm of musical experiments into the realm of visual arts.

Now she draws with tea, coffe and kefir.

And not just on paper, but even on goat skins.

Round table discussions concerning problems of protection of rare species of animals of Tuva just took place in Kyzyl. Altogether 50 species of animals and 90 species of plants have been included in the list in the Red Book of the region. Nevertheless, in the opinion of specialists, the protection of nature in the republic is not very good, as GTRK “Tyva” announced. The nature preserve constitutes only 8% of the entire territory of the republic. In the neighboring Republic Altai, with smaller total area, the protected land constitutes more than 20% of the total.

Tomorrow at the National Museum of Tuva at 10 o’clock, the members of the organizing committee of the special project “Nine Treasures” (Tuva) will answer the questions of journalists, regional experts, and simply all those who are interested in the noteworthy things in Tuva, and would like to take part in the project. Applications are accepted until March 15. Among the claims received to date, there are well-known Tuvan trademarks, like the Center of Asia, Por-Bazhyn, Ustuu-Khuree, (including the reasons why, historical facts, legends), as well as heretofore completely unknown objects.

The leaders of Moscow assigned land for building a Buddhist temple in Victory Park on Poklonnaya Mountain. This was announced by RIA Novosti, referring to the mayor’s second-in-command in matters of sport, tourism and interregional co-operation, Sergei Bailakov. The decision about building the temple was made several years ago, but difficulties arose with assigning the actual plot of land.

Doctor of historical sciences,shamanologist, president of the shamanic association “Dungur”, Mongush Kenin-Lopsan, has sent his Lunar New Year greetings to the people of Tuva:

“Greetings with the New Year of the Tiger! Chaa chyl keldi!

Turning to the rising sun…

The human genius collected an anthology of horoscopes under the general title “Zvezdy i sudby” ( “Stars and Fate”). Every nation has its own variant – its own horoscope.

Tsagaan-sar, the holiday of White Moon (Shagaa in Tuvan) is one of the most beloved holidays in Mongolia. Besides the traditional athletic contests and holiday prayer services, a great concert, dedicated to the Lunar New Year, took place in Ulan-Bator.

This is the first time that this concert had international participation, including artists from Inner Mongolia (China), and the Buddhist republics of Russia.

The head of Tuva, Sholban Kara-ool greeted the people of the republic with the bright holiday Shagaa, Lunar New Year:

“Respected co-citizens! My dear compatriots! Please accept my most sincere greetings with the bright holiday Shagaa – the Eastern Lunar New Year!

This holiday carries within itself customs and traditions of our ancestors, which are centuries old; it is a symbol of the unity and harmony of mankind with nature, which eternally renews itself, and of the triumph and victory of bright beginnings.

Kamby-Lama of Tuva transmitted his Shagaa greetings to the people of Tuva:

“Dear compatriots, people of our multiethnic republic! In the name of all the lamas and followers of the Buddha’s holy Teachings of Tuva, as well as from me personally, I greet you with the bright holiday of Shagaa – with the beginning of the Eastern Lunar New Year of the Iron Tiger!

Exhibition of national dishes, contest for the tastiest pelmeni, best horse outfit, fastest speech, lifting rocks (kodured dash), mass sledding from hills, chess games, khuresh wrestling – all that will be going on in Tec-Khem kozhuun during the Lunar New Year celebrations. On the evening before Shagaa, which is coming with the first rays of the sun on February 14, “cholukshulga”, an ancient ceremonial expression of respect to the elders of the community takes place.