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On July 19 and 20, the "Kazakhat" hippodrome in Astana will host a large-scale gastronomic festival dedicated to one of the main national symbols of the Kazakh steppe - koumiss. This was reported in the akimat of the capital.The festival will bring together about 50 manufacturers from different parts of Kazakhstan. It is expected that the event will be attended by up to 60 thousand people.What will be?Guests will enjoy a rich program: tastings of koumiss of various varieties, an exhibition of Kazakh horse breeds, performances by ethno-cultural associations, master classes, craft fairs and a scientific conference dedicated to the benefits of the drink and the prospects for the development of horse breeding. The speakers include experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Germany.The central event of the festival will be a competition for the preparation of the best koumiss. The prize fund will be 45 million tenge: the winner will receive 20 million, the second place - 15 million, the third - 10 million tenge.In addition, traditional competitions in national sports will be held at the hippodrome: audaryspak (horseback wrestling), asau үйрету (taming wild stallions), lassoing, greyhound racing (tazy) and other ethnogames.A bit of historyKoumiss: a drink with a thousand-year historyKoumiss is a traditional fermented milk drink made from mare's milk, which has been known in Central Asia since ancient times. The first mentions of it are found in Herodotus, who in the 5th century BC wrote about the Scythians, who kept the recipe for the drink a secret.Kazakhs have long considered koumiss not just a drink, but a symbol of strength, health and longevity. It was prepared in special wineskins, aged for a certain time, often in compliance with rituals, and presented to honored guests as a special sign of honor.Interesting facts:Koumiss contains B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium and enzymes that promote digestion.It has probiotic properties and has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora.Koumiss therapy is a method of health improvement recognized in Kazakhstan and Russia, especially effective for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs.The drink of weak and medium fermentation contains a small percentage of alcohol (up to 2.5%), but it is well refreshing and toning.In nomadic life, koumiss was an integral part of the spring-summer diet, and its preparation was considered a female art, passed down from generation to generation.The festival is not only about tasteThe organizers themselves note that the "BaiQymyz – Baptalgan Qymy" festival is held in order to revive Kazakh food traditions, popularize koumiss as a unique product and a symbol of health, as well as to develop agritourism and maintain interest in horse breeding as an important branch of the national economy.The organizers promise a bright, informative and truly delicious event that will unite traditions, science, sports and gastronomy.