The VI CIOFF®️ World Folkloriada has started in Ufa The opening ceremony took place today, July 3, at the Ufa-Arena Ice Palace.
The spectacular and large-scale event was attended by groups from 37 countries of the world – more than 1000 artists. The celebration was divided into several semantic blocks and dedicated to the earth, soul and folklore. The heroes of the epics led the audience through the centuries of the history of the Bashkir people, along the path filled with legends and myths from the moment of creation of the world to the festive sabantuy. The Republic, as the host party, presented a colorful program – a special show.
The character of the Ural Batyr was embodied by the Guinness Book of Records record holder, one of the strongest people in Russia and the world, Elbrus Nigmatullin.
The opening ceremony was attended by artists of the Bashkir State Philharmonic named after Kh.Akhmetov, the Folk Song and Dance Ensemble "Miras" , the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble named after Faizi Gaskarov, the Dance Theater of the Sterlitamak Theater and Concert Association (Sterlitamak), the Exemplary Choreographic Ensemble " Safar "(Tuimazy), the Dance Ensemble of the Uchaly State Philharmonic "Uraltau" and the Folk Dance Ensemble "Berkhomut " (Uchaly) and other folklore groups of the republic.
The program of the Folkloriada was attended by Russian artists - the Ensemble "Russian Song" led by the Ambassador of the Folkloriada Nadezhda Babkina, the Kuban Cossack Choir.
For the first time in Ufa, the hymn of the Folkloriada was played. The solemn composition on the stage of the Ice Palace was performed by Russian singer Marina Devyatova and Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, People's Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan Askar Abdrazakov.

The flag of the World Folkloriada was taken out by the State Folk Dance Ensemble named after Faizi Gaskarov, it was them who took part in the previous Folkloriada. After that, the participants of the Folkloriada took to the stage of the Arena in a solemn parade.
In the official part of the opening ceremony, the presenters read a congratulatory telegram from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov, the President of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) Philippe Bossan made a welcoming speech. It should be noted that at the end of his speech, Philip Bossan spoke in the Bashkir language.
The opening ceremony of the World Folkloriada required more than 500 intelligent lighting devices, 800 square meters of LED screens, unique mechanisms and automation systems designed specifically for the opening ceremony, dozens of the most modern laser video projectors, more than 100 kW of sound equipment, smoke and cryo effects.