Kyrgyzstan will host the environmental festival “Snow Leopard EcoFest Chon-Kemin 2026” on July 11 at the hippodrome in the village of Shabdan in the Chon-Kemin Valley, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision announced.
The festival, themed “Snow Leopard: Eco-Education as the Foundation for a Sustainable Future in Kyrgyzstan,” aims to raise environmental awareness, promote eco-education and sustainable tourism, and draw public attention to the conservation of the snow leopard, Kyrgyzstan’s national symbol.
The event is being organized by the Ilbirs-Green Generation Public Foundation, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, the Secretariat of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, and local authorities.
According to the ministry, the festival will feature a presentation of the winners of the “BARS FASHION 2026 – Best Snow Leopard Costume” student competition.
Visitors will also be able to explore themed zones, including eco-product exhibitions, snow leopard-themed art spaces, painting and photography displays, children’s drawing contests, ecology workshops, archery, kurosh wrestling, the “Snow Leopard Jump” competition, stunt performances, and other cultural activities.
Organizers say the festival is designed to show that eco-education is not only about learning about nature, but also about building responsibility, environmental awareness, and a willingness to take action. Through educational, cultural, and interactive formats, participants will learn more about snow leopards, mountain ecosystems, and the role individuals can play in protecting nature.
Admission will be free for residents and visitors.
Snow leopards are considered a key indicator of ecological health across mountainous regions in 12 Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan. The country has played an active role in international conservation efforts, including spearheading a United Nations General Assembly initiative that established October 23 as the International Day of the Snow Leopard.
Kyrgyzstan recognized the snow leopard as a national symbol by presidential decree in December 2023. In October 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved rules for using the official logo.
The animal has also been selected as the official mascot of the sixth World Nomad Games, which Kyrgyzstan will host from August 31 to September 6, 2026.
