Tulip. Republic of Kalmykia
In spring,
the harsh Kalmyk steppe is transformed, becoming covered with a colorful carpet
of tulips. During this period, the Tulip Blossom Festival takes place here - it
is a vibrant folklore and ethnographic festival that introduces the natural
wealth, traditional culture and cuisine of the region.
Many people
consider Holland to be the birthplace of tulips. But in fact, it was from the
Kalmyk steppes that merchants traveling along the Great Silk Road brought tulip
bulbs in the XVII century. The name “tulip” comes from the Persian word
“toliban”, which denotes an oriental headdress - a turban, in shape resembling
a tulip.
Steppe
tulips of Kalmykia are wild. The flowering period usually falls in April-May.
The tulip is a delicate flower and chooses its own time for blooming. The
miracle of the steppes blooms for almost a week. And under favorable climate
conditions it can bloom longer.
Life
expectancy of the plant reaches 50-70 years. But this is only on the condition
its above-ground part is not plucked: through it the plant receives nutrients
due to photosynthesis. If you pick the flower, the bulb dies. Wild tulips
reproduce only by seeds - they ripen all summer. And the first tulip flowers
from these seeds will appear only after 10-15 years.
Many poetic
lines and legends are dedicated to the tulip. There is a Kalmyk legend that
says that tulips are the souls of our dead ancestors. Once a year they return
to breathe the air of their native steppe.
The main
species of tulips that grow in Kalmykia are wild Schrenck's tulip. This species
of tulips is included in the Red Book of Russia. Therefore, it is strictly
forbidden to pluck them, dig up bulbs, sell them.
According
to legend, among the flowers you can find a black tulip, which blooms once
every nine years. And you can find it only once in your whole life. This rare
flower must never be touched. You just have to stand next to it and make a
wish.
Along with the RUSSIA EXPO, the flower festival is also coming to an end.
The "Future in Flowers" festival continues at the RUSSIA EXPO, where unique flowerbeds from all regions of our country can be seen at the "Space" pavilion until July 8.
The RUSSIA EXPO concludes on July 8, and with it, the flower festival will also come to an end.