Wedding traditions of the peoples of the Far East at the 2nd All-Russian Festival "Russia. Connecting Hearts"

More than 200 couples from different regions of the country will take part in the wedding ceremony as part of the II All-Russian festival "Russia. Connecting Hearts", which will be held at the National Centre RUSSIA on July 8-10. This event will help visitors to get familiar with the variety of wedding traditions of our country, including the rituals of the peoples of the Far East.

The sacred meaning of a wedding gown 

The wedding ceremonies of the peoples of the Far East — Buryats, Yakuts, Nanai, Udege, Ulchi, and Evens — are a combination of ancient wisdom and deep symbolism. Wedding clothes are of particular importance in these ceremonies, they serve not only as a means of adornment, but also as powerful amulets. Among the Buryats, Yakuts, Nanai, Udege, Ulchi, Evens, and other indigenous peoples of the region, wedding clothes also reflect a worldview and connection with nature.

The Buryat national dress with silver clasps represented the well-being of the family, and the bride's headdress with a long veil symbolized the transition to a new status - the status of a married woman. The Yakuts put a special meaning into every detail of the dress, from the color of the fabric to the way the belt was tied. The Nanai and Ulchi decorated their clothes with ornaments depicting birds, intermediaries between the worlds.

Preparations for the wedding were a sacred process. Clothes in the families often were hereditary, thus being saturated with the energy of the ancestors. There were rituals for cleansing the outfit: fumigating it with burning herbs, or sewing amulets in it.

Traditional wedding ceremonies

The wedding ceremonies of the peoples of the Far East are characterized by a complex structure. For example, among the Evens, the bride must ride around the groom's chum (tent) three times along the course of the sun, after which she feeds the guests with deer meat. Nanai parents choose future spouses for their children when those are small kids. Matchmaking can last a week, and the wedding itself can last three days, with having the festivities at the homes of the bride and groom, in turns. Of particular interest are the customs of the Itelmens: the groom served the bride's parents, doing the hardest work. Only after proving his worth he could propose to the girl.

Modern weddings go along with traditions. Newlyweds often combine national outfits with modern elements. In the Far East, it is especially popular to have the weddings during holidays such as the Reindeer Herder's Day, when celebrations can be combined with folk festivals.

A living tradition

The wedding ceremonies of the peoples of the Far East are not just a historical heritage, but also a living tradition that continues to develop. While preserving ancient rituals and symbols, modern couples find new ways to express respect for their roots. As the ancestors said, a man is the head of the family, and a woman is the keeper of the hearth. These wise principles, passed down through the generations, remain relevant today.

As part of the 2nd All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Connecting Hearts", there will be a rich cultural and educational program: concerts featuring performaces of many Russian pop stars, food performances, public talks, master classes, expositions, and more. The festival will end with a gala concert.

For the first time, the All-Russian Wedding Festival was held in 2024 as part of the International RUSSIA EXPO. Some of the families created at the First All-Russian Wedding Festival have already got children.

The 2nd All-Russian Wedding Festival is held with the support of the Moscow Civil Registry Office (ZAGS), and the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives (PFCI).