Elista 161st Anniversary Celebrations and Day of the National Kalmyk Costume

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Elista marks its 161st anniversary with a full-day program of sports, cultural events, and a costume procession. Sports begin at 10:00 at the Nadezhda sports complex with a mini-football tournament and a billiards cup. At noon a power-extreme contest (Medved-2026) is held on Victory Square in Druzhba Park. A children's stroller parade starts at 11:00 on Gorodovikova Street. Poetry readings are scheduled for 14:00 in the Kugultinov and Pushkin squares. The heritage centerpiece is a 15:00 procession in Kalmyk and other national costumes starting at the Central Khurul (Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni) and walking to the Pagoda of Seven Days, followed by children's performances at 15:30 and a concert at 16:00. Evening events on Victory Square at 18:30 include awards and close at 20:00 with the group Pesni Kochevnikov (Songs of Nomads). The same date coincides with the Day of the National Kalmyk Costume, observed on the second Saturday of September.
Source: https://riakalm.ru/news/daynews/52814-nasyshchennaya-programma-ot-futbola-do-pesen-kochevnikov-elista-otmetit-svoe-161-letie