Kurai, dumbyra, and Cossack songs: Russia's polyphony at the Made in Russia festival and fair in Beijing

The Made in Russia festival and fair, held from August 28 to 30 in Beijing, has become not only a showcase for Russian goods but also a true cultural celebration. For residents and visitors of the Chinese capital, Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) and Russian Ministry of Culture have prepared a rich concert program, combining traditions of various Russian regions.

Particular attention was paid to the performances of artists from Bashkortostan. People's Artist of the Republic and Honored Artist of Russia, the outstanding opera singer Askar Abdrazakov, performed the famous Dark Eyes and Moscow Nights.

Arslan Umurzakov international competition laureate played the kurai, a symbol of Bashkir culture from the UNESCO Heritage List. Rayan Khusnullin, laureate of international and all-Russian festivals and soloist with the National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of the Republic of Bashkortostan, played the dumbyra, one of the oldest Bashkir instruments whose sounds bring the steppes and epics to life.

Festival guests will also be able to enjoy Bashkir and Chinese folk songs performed by Nurziya Sabitova, a laureate of international competitions and soloist with the State Kurai Ensemble of Bashkortostan.

The festival also offers residents of China the opportunity to get a little closer to Sakhalin and to listen to Svyatoslav Bulatov, artist, vocalist, and singer-songwriter.

A special feature of the program is the performance by Yar Moscow Song Theater. The ensemble presents a three-part concert of Russian folk songs and Cossack songs. The repertoire includes Korobeiniki, I’ll go Outside, Marusya One, Two, Three, Tsyganochka, and Moscow Nights in Chinese. The Cossack section includes For My Russia, Lovely Brothers, Lovely, Farewell of Slavianka, and other songs.

Some performances are accompanied by interactive elements, namely Folk Orchestra, Round Dance, Ribbon Carousel, and Wall to Wall, which makes the program especially exciting and spectacular.

The festival has become a vibrant demonstration of Russia's cultural diversity, helping not only promote domestic products abroad but also strengthen cultural ties between Russia and China.

The Made in Russia festivals and fairs are held as part of a program to promote Russian products under an international brand. They are coordinated by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade as part of the International Cooperation and Export national project, and operated by Russian Export Center. Since 2017, the program has helped companies enter new markets and build consumer confidence. The role of these events in expanding the range of Russian exports to China was noted at the highest level during the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in 2025.

Moscow Export Center is the official partner of the festival and fair, Cherkizovo Group is the official sponsor.