ALASH FEST in Tuva
July 4-5, 2026
On July 4–5, the third annual AlashFest International Live Music Festival will take place at the Maralkhoz Turan tourist base, located in the Piy-Khem District of the Republic of Tuva. The event program features two days packed with diverse activities. The first day of the festival will feature master classes covering various aspects of musical culture, alongside horseback riding excursions and an exhibition/sale of traditional folk crafts. Musical performances will commence on the evening of the first day. The second day will open with a morning yoga session accompanied by live music. Throughout the day there will be master classes dedicated to the playing of traditional Tuvan musical instruments. A children’s entertainment program will also be organized. The second day will conclude with a concert program, beginning in the evening and culminating in a disco.
How a student ensemble from Kyzyl conquered the world and gave Tuva its premier ethno-festival
In 1999 at the Kyzyl College of Arts, a small group of students who were dedicated to the art of khoomei formed a small ensemble, which they named Changy-Khaya. Their mentor and guiding spirit, the legendary khoomeizhi Kongar-ool Ondar, set them a challenge: not merely to preserve their musical tradition but to elevate it to a new level. Today, more than a quarter of a century later, this ensemble is known worldwide as Alash. They are Grammy Award winners, successful cultural ambassadors, and organizers of the republic’s largest live music festival.
Alash first toured the U.S. in 2006. Since then, they have traveled and delighted audiences throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. They have also collaborated with artists in an extraordinary variety of genres, including jazz, blues, country, avant-garde, classical, and hip-hop. The musicians believe that Tuvan instruments and khoomei can blend with any genre. Even so, their highest priority has always been—and will always remain—traditional Tuvan khoomei.
In 2024, having achieved remarkable international success, Alash decided to mark the 25th anniversary of their founding by giving a gift to their native land. On July 6–7 of that year, the first-ever AlashFest, an open-air live music festival, took place at the Turan maral deer farm in the Piy-Khem District. The festival was opened by Alash alongside the “Symphony of Khoomei” project. Sharing the stage with Alash were the preeminent Tuvan ensembles Huun-Huurtu, Chirgilchin, and Tyva Kyzy, as well as various youth groups. The Khakass Symphony Orchestra made a special guest appearance. The success of the inaugural festival exceeded all expectations, drawing an audience of over 3,000 guests. The following year, the Tuvan and Khakass ensembles were joined by guest artists from Kazakhstan, Buryatia, Yakutia, Mongolia, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. The second festival attracted an international audience of over 5,000 spectators.
What to Expect in 2026
In 2026, AlashFest will continue to push musical and geographical boundaries, hosting an even more extensive lineup of participants:
A Powerful Tuvan Contingent
Contemporary Interpretations of Folk Music
Inspired by the Natural Landscape
Guest Artists from Altai to China
