In 2026, Omsk will become a center of attraction for millions of guests, not only as the Cultural Capital of Russia but also as the main venue for hosting the XXVI Federal Sabantuy. This ancient festival of the plough, which unites Turkic peoples, will be held in Siberia this year with particular grandeur.

Today, July 8, a meeting in the format of an open discussion dedicated to the XXVI Federal Sabantuy took place at the International Multimedia Center “Eurasia Today.”

The moderators of this event were Natalya Stepanova, Director of the Omsk House of Friendship and Head of the Regional Branch of the Assembly of Peoples of Russia, and Danis Shakirov, First Deputy Chairman of the National Council of the World Congress of Tatars – Head of the Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars (via videoconference). Invited media representatives also participated in the event.

During the videoconference, Danis Fanisovich Shakirov greeted all participants and also expressed his great gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the Federal Sabantuy in Omsk.

“The most important thing in holding Sabantuy is the stylistic essence of a folk festival. We are responsible for organizing more than 4,000 Sabantuys. The Federal Sabantuy is a Sabantuy that unites regions. Every guest of the Sabantuy should feel our atmosphere; we draw attention to the depth and meaning of this holiday,” noted Danis Fanisovich.

The Federal Sabantuy will take place in Omsk on July 17–18 and will bring together participants from 30 regions of Russia and Kazakhstan. The holiday program includes horse races and equestrian competitions, a concert featuring artists from the Republic of Tatarstan and Omsk Oblast, a gala concert, national wrestling competitions (Koresh), a fair, and creative master classes.

A bronze statuette of the winged horse Tulpar — the symbol of the holiday, which is passed from one host city to the next — will arrive in Omsk.

This year, the organizers decided not to limit themselves to a single location in order to reach as many guests as possible. The main events will unfold across three landmark venues in the city:

• Zelyony Ostrov Park – the main action will take place here: the grand opening, the raising of the Sabantuy flag, a theatrical performance, a gala concert, and, of course, the main wrestling competitions.

• Omsk Hippodrome – the venue for the most spectacular competitions — horse races.

• Philharmonic Concert Hall – chamber concerts featuring Tatar pop stars and folklore ensembles will be held here, as well as an awards ceremony for distinguished guests and competition winners.

The program is designed for audiences of all ages. A “City of Masters” will be set up on the territory of Zelyony Ostrov. Guests will be able to watch the process of making leather, wood, and metal goods, purchase handmade souvenirs and national costumes, and attend culinary master classes on making echpochmak or chak-chak. In addition, all-Russian competitions in national sports will be held: tug-of-war, climbing a smooth pole (for a prize at the top), running with a yoke, and sack fights on a log.