The Falconry Festival is one of the most distinctive and thrilling events in Kyrgyzstan. Held every year in early August in the small town of Bokonbayevo, south of Lake Issyk-Kul.

During the festival, you'll discover numerous birds of prey: eagles and golden eagles, vultures, and falcons. These formidable predators, with their razor-sharp talons and delicate beaks, are unparalleled hunters. Despite their wild nature, some have been trained to work alongside humans.

This ancient practice of falconry is believed to have originated in the high plateaus of Central Asia, in Kyrgyzstan, where it was used by early warriors and hunters. Neighboring countries in the region later adopted it, and it eventually became popular throughout the Western world, including in medieval France.

In Kyrgyzstan, birds of prey have always held great importance—historically, a well-trained bird could feed an entire village. Today, however, hunting has transformed into local folklore. Modern eagle hunting has become more of a sport for pleasure or a tourism activity.

The Falconry Festival features demonstrations of eagles and falcons, hunts for hares and foxes, and traditional Kyrgyz games involving birds of prey, such as Arkan, Tartmay, Zholuk, and Tastamay. Additional cultural events and folk performances round out the program. Competitions are held throughout, with winners receiving impressive prizes!