ISSYK-KUL, Kyrgyzstan (AP) — Hundreds gathered Saturday on the southern shore of Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk-Kul for the annual Salbuurun Festival. Held in the village of Bokonbaevo, the festival showcased nomadic traditions including archery, horseback acrobatics and traditional wrestling.
As well as more athletic pursuits, visitors watched performances of throat singing, epic poetry and lute music, along with demonstrations of falconry and exhibitions of sculptures and handmade crafts. The festival takes its name from a traditional kind of hunting, involving eagles, archery and taigan dogs.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Kyrgyz hunters with golden eagles compete during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz hunter prepares his golden eagle to take part in competitions in the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
A Kyrgyz rider shows his skills during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz hunters blow hunting horns opening the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
A Golden eagle carries a stuffed fox during the Kyrgyz Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz women archers ride horses prior to competition during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz musicians play national instruments Karnay starting the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz hunters with golden eagles get ready to compete during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz riders attend the game “catch the girl” during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz hunters compete in archery during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz hunters dressed in historical military clothing perform during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
A Kyrgyz boy competes in archery during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
Kyrgyz hunters with their golden eagles and hunting dogs Taigan also known as Kyrgyz Taighany during the Traditional Eagle Hunting Salbuurun Festival on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake, 213 km (132 miles) southeast of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin)
