On 8th September more than 3,000 competitors from over 100 countries will gather in Astana, Kazakhstan to take part in the 5th World Nomad Games. Competitors in 21 different sports will compete for almost 90 medals. The sports include the world-famous Kokpar, in which two teams of 12 compete to deliver a serke (dummy sheep) into a hole at either end of the pitch; Kazak kuresi wrestling, in which competitors seek to throw their opponents onto their back; Alysh (belt wrestling); tug-of-war; the Powerful Nomad Strongman competition; Tenge Ilu, in which riders on horseback attempt to pick up objects on the ground; traditional archery; horseback archery; Kuzbegilik – hunting with birds of prey; and Togyzkumalak – a strategy board game involving beads.

Alongside the Games there will be a scientific conference on nomadism and many cultural events that celebrate nomadic culture.

Horse racing competitions, traditional archery and hunting with birds, as well as horse riding competitions will be held at the Kazanat racetrack and on the Ethnoaul site. The Ushkempirov Wrestling Palace and Alau Ice Palace will host the wrestling competitions, martial arts and folk games, and traditional intellectual games will be held in the Duman complex. The Qazaqstan Athletics Sports Complex will house the WNG Accreditation and Equipment Centers.

The WNG cultural programme will be held in the Universe of Nomads, Ethno-village (Ethno-Aul), which is located on a 10-hectare site adjacent to the Kazanat race course in the south-western side of the city. Cultural activities will also be held at various venues in Astana, including city squares, parks, public gardens, other public spaces, theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and exhibition halls.

As well as covering the events, I will also be presenting a paper at the scientific conference on Historial Images of Nomadism. These games promise to be spectacular and I urge any of you that can to make your way to Astana and enjoy a real treat.