On 11 January festival «Bashkortostan – Netherlands 2018» took place in  the Netherlands.

The initiative to organize the festival that originally belongs to the municipalities of Heerde and Olst-Wijhe was supported by the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Embassy of Russia.

The main theme of the event was the liberation of the Netherlands in 1813 by the army of the Russian Empire. 20 mountain Bashkir corps participated in the operation and contributed invaluably to the final victory. 

The base of the Russian army that repelled Napoleon in 1812 and chased him through Europe to Paris consisted of Cossacks and Bashkir cavalry that gained the rear of the enemy and caused panic in its ranks. For the mastery in the archery skills French soldiers gave to Bashkir nickname «Northern Amurs».

In his welcoming speech Ambassador A.Shilgin underlined the influence of the abovementioned event on culture and arts. «You can find a number of pieces depicting the period of the liberation of the Netherlands with Bashkir cavalry units are there» - noted Head of the Mission.

This is one of the reasons why the festival attracted high interest in the Neterlands to the people who liberated these lands, to its way of life and culture. It gives an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the unique culture and art of this distinctive ethnos.   

A more detailed presentation of the history and culture of the region then was presented by A.Shafikova, Minister of Culture of Bashkortostan.

Bashkortostan is the birthplace of such famous people as dancer R.Nuriev, writers S.Aksakov and S.Davlatov, painter M.Nesterov, director and violinist V.Spivakov, opera singers I.Abdrazakov and A.Abdrazakov. F.Chaliapin made his debut there.

«Bashkirs have always been heartfelt and hospital to their guests. I invite you all to visit Bashkortostan to feel the energy of our soil.  It is especially precious for us that you here honour the feat of the Bashkir Cavalry that as a part of the Russian Army fought for the freedom of the Netherlands» - noted the Minister.

After the official ceremony the guests had an opportunity to enjoy the musical performance «Blizzard» by the State academic Russian theater of Bashkortostan and Dutch ensemble «Geksagon».

During the festival two monuments to Bashkir cavalryman and to Count Alexander von Benckendorf made by prominent Russian artist A.Taratinov were also presented. The author depicted this major historical event when Bashkir cavalry had forced a crossing of the River Ijssel liberating the Netherlands.