The ethno-cultural diversity of the peoples of the Altai Territory is an invaluable resource for tourism. Teleuts, Kumandins, Kazakhs, Kerzhaks, Cossacks, Germans, Ukrainians, Russians moved to Altai from different parts of Russia during the Demidov era and the cabinet lands, the Stolypin reform, during the Great Patriotic War and during the raising of virgin lands. So for a little over three hundred years, the appearance of the modern population of the Altai Territory was formed.

“In various, often remote corners of the region, people have preserved such a unique heritage that an inquisitive person can only see while traveling. Any museum exposition, no matter how well it is done, will not be able to catch up with what can be seen in the Mordovian village of Borisovo, Zalesov district, the Cossack village of Terskoy (Novopokrovka village) of the Bystroistok district, the German village of Shumanovka in the German National District, Biysk region, etc. " - says Sergey Kharlamov, head of the department of social and cultural service and tourism of the Altai State Academy of Culture and Arts.

Ethnographic tourism not only acquaints guests with the culture and traditions of the region, but also has a positive impact on the revival, preservation and development of local folk traditions, crafts, monuments of historical and cultural heritage. The region is home to about 150 nations and nationalities, each has its own unique cuisine, culture, which becomes the basis for the development of gastronomic, ethnographic and rural tourism in the Altai Territory.

You can get acquainted with the culture of the peoples of the Altai Territory at the Day of Russia at the Turquoise Katun, the Interdistrict Festival of Kumandy Culture, the International Festival of Cossack Culture and Folk Art and others.

Photo: Anton Agarkov, Pavel Pelevin, Valery Stepanyuk