According to the president's press service, this festival provided an opportunity to unite efforts for the protection of the snow leopard, promote the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the region, attract tourists, and ensure sustainable development of mountainous areas.
As part of the festival, a ceremonial opening of a new bridge and a viewing platform located near the jade stone took place, adding another attraction to the Jeti-Oguz district as an emerging tourist destination.
Kemelova emphasized that the snow leopard, which has become a symbol of Kyrgyzstan thanks to the initiative of President Sadyr Japarov, embodies the country's natural wealth and is an important indicator of the health of mountain ecosystems.
She noted that work on the protection of the snow leopard is being carried out systematically within the framework of the Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023–2027), aimed at protecting ecosystems, improving living conditions for mountain communities, and developing responsible ecotourism.
The festival also featured a competition for creating sculptures and exhibits of the snow leopard from various materials such as ice, snow, and foam, as well as a drawing and art competition involving schoolchildren, teachers, and kindergarten educators from the Jeti-Oguz district.
Visitors could enjoy national games, an exhibition of local artisans' products, a display of national clothing, horseback riding and sledding, as well as tasting traditional dishes.
The festival gathered over 2000 participants, including representatives from ministries and departments, local authorities, business structures, public organizations, as well as residents of the Jeti-Oguz district and guests from abroad.
