Russia’s Ust-Maya Festival Revives Indigenous Northern Cuisine and Heritage
A recent festival in Russia’s Ust-Maya region celebrated Indigenous northern cultures through traditional food and heritage. The event, known as Külümnür Küp küné, showcased rare dishes and local ingredients, with Evenki cuisine taking centre stage. Executive chef Nikolai Atlasov led the culinary presentation as part of a wider programme honouring Indigenous traditions.
The festival marked Indigenous Minorities of the North Day, along with the anniversaries of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and Kyupsy village. Guests sampled northern delicacies like bear meat, foal, capercaillie, moose, reindeer, hare, and squirrel. Fish dishes—including pike, crucian carp, and mundu—were also prepared, reflecting Ust-Maya’s culinary roots.
The festival highlighted the richness of northern Indigenous foodways and their cultural significance. Through dishes, storytelling, and shared meals, participants connected with traditions passed down over generations. The event reinforced the importance of preserving these practices for future celebrations.
