"Syumbelya" was celebrated in Tashkent in a delicious, musical, and homelike cozy way

In Tashkent, "Syumbelya" was celebrated in a delicious, musical, and home-style warm way.

The organizers of the holiday were activists of the Tatar public cultural center of the capital. It was held in the friendship quarter, located behind the Committee on Interethnic Relations.

I got there, one might say, straight from the ship to the ball: I had just returned from Margilan, where the international festival "Atlas Bayrami" was taking place, and immediately went to "Sömbelä". I couldn't miss it, because it is being held here for the first time.

Many people in Uzbekistan know about the "Sabantuy" holiday and its traditions. But "Syumbelya" is not yet so widely known.

What is it? — you may ask.

It is a traditional Tatar folk harvest festival celebrated during the autumn equinox.

This date falls precisely on the September days.

Syumbelya symbolises earthly abundance, purity, and the generosity of nature.

The name itself goes back to the ancient designation of the constellation Virgo and the autumn equinox, when farmers sum up the results of the summer, complete the autumn sowing, the granaries are filled to the brim, and a well-deserved rest comes to the homes.

In an urban environment, of course, it is difficult to observe agricultural and farming rituals, but the meaning of the holiday remains: it is a certain stage of summing up and an occasion to gather together, exchange news, and connect with the origins of folk traditions.

The celebration was opened with congratulations by the chairman of the Tashkent City Tatar Public Cultural Center, Rishat Khismatullovich Nabiullin.

Then, the hostess of the holiday appeared before the audience — "Syumbelya", the main symbol of the celebration, with chak-chak in her hands.

According to tradition, the smartest, most hardworking, and statuesque girl was chosen for this role.

In Tashkent, this honor was bestowed upon the soloist of the Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre, Lenara Zakirova, who is also the winner of the "Tatar Kyzy 2024" contest.

It was she who opened the grand concert program with the song "AY, BYLBYLYM".

Soulful songs, lyrical melodies, sparkling dances!

The ensembles "Izge Nur", "Bulgary", "Duslyk", as well as soloists Maryam Bukharova, Rimma Gizatullina, Marat Khakimov, Ruslan Gainanov, Kamron Bakirov, Zaniya Nabieva, Gulnara Kuvatbekova, and Irina Gimranova shared their creativity. People's Artist of Tatarstan Feruza Khaldarova, in addition to a Tatar song, chose an Uzbek song about Namangan apples for her performance — just in line with the theme of the autumn harvest festival.

The audience, of whom there were very many, greeted each performance with warm applause. And the bravest went out into the circle to dance. Tatars know how to have fun from the heart!

Another point of attraction of the Tashkent "Syumbelya" was the pavilion of the Tatar cultural center.

Right in front of the entrance, a generous table was set: a riot of aromas and lovingly prepared pastries. The activists of the Tatar center did a great job!

Nuriya Sayfullina admitted that she got up at 4 a.m. that day to knead the dough and manage, so to speak, to deliver culinary delights hot from the oven to the festive table.

Renata Shaikhinurova prepared echpochmaks. Raikhan Fakhargaleeva baked a carrot pie. Someone brought kystyby — flatbreads with mashed potatoes, someone brought belyashi, someone brought peremyachi.

Golden chak-chak and kosh-tele — festive sweets — glistened with fresh autumn honey, smelled of clarified butter, and reminded of the warm summer sun.

They did not forget about the new bread (Yaña ikmäk) — the main hero of the culinary part of "Syumbelya": fluffy, with a crispy crust, it gave off the aroma of smoke and the oven.

In general, pastries of national Tatar cuisine were in great demand. Everyone praised the pies with pumpkin filling. And pumpkin is one of the healthiest vegetables of the generous autumn. The treats were washed down with tea made from matryushka — Tatar oregano.

Guests kept coming — with families, with children, with friends. Many wanted to take photos, to make selfies right in the pavilion, against the colorful background.

And the pavilion is indeed very beautiful, elegant, stylized as a village log cabin. Inside, you can see all the attributes of a traditional Tatar dwelling, where there was a place for an old stove, a cradle suspended from the ceiling, and tastymals (towels) embroidered with floral patterns — decorative elements of the guest half of the house.

The interior was complemented by an exhibition featuring handicrafts, traditional Tatar household items, and musical instruments.

This autumn, colorful harvest festival "Syumbelya" ended with a cozy feast — a tea party in a great mood!