On May 23, 2024, the Republican State Enterprise “State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve ‘Botai’” of the Committee of Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan held the historical reconstruction festival “Botai Pyragy – 2024” at the Botai settlement near the village of Nikolskoye in the Aiyrtau District of the North Kazakhstan Region. In 2024, the annual festival combined two significant observances in its concept: International Museum Day on May 18 and the Day of Culture and Art Workers of the Republic of Kazakhstan on May 21. As part of the festival, a traveling exhibition from the museum-reserve’s collections was presented. For festival guests, a theatrical performance demonstrated the process of horse domestication and the traditional preparation of kumys (fermented mare’s milk). Archery competitions were also held in an engaging format. In stylized yurts, an exhibition of paintings dedicated to the Botai culture was organized, featuring works from the collections of the North Kazakhstan Regional Museum Association.

Museum researchers of the “Botai” Museum-Reserve, together with a restoration artist, conducted master classes demonstrating the production of stone discs and leather processing techniques based on Eneolithic period technologies. Visitors showed great interest in the simulated archaeological excavations, which included the study of cultural layers and the “discovery” of artifacts. Guests of the festival were also presented with a highly engaging ethnographic exhibition from the collections of the Akmola Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, featuring valuable exhibits. As part of the festival, competitions in national sports and traditional games were held, including tenge alu and kyz kuu, as well as horse riding activities. In addition, a fair selling souvenirs and products from local entrepreneurs was organized.

The festival’s open-air format, held in a picturesque location, attracted a large number of visitors, including local residents, young people, representatives of the public and government authorities, local historians and scientists, as well as members of the older generation. The finale of the «Ботай пырагы» festival featured a theatrical lighting of a large Botai ceremonial fire by a “shaman” accompanied by ethnic music. This moment symbolically reflected the essence of the Botai culture and its ancient traditions and customs.

The festival generated strong interest and left positive impressions among a wide range of residents and guests of the region.