The III International Buddhist Forum opens in Elista

The III International Buddhist Forum opens in Elista on September 25. The central event of the ceremony will be the author's musical performance "Nomad of the People" from the famous director and producer Andrei Boltenko and the director of the opening of the Olympic Games in Sochi.

The story, inspired by Kalmyk folklore, will come to life on 9 10-meter-high LED screens set against the backdrop of an endless steppe. Thanks to multimedia technologies, a portal to the world of Kalmyk history and Buddhist philosophy will open before the audience.

The honorary guests of the ceremony will be Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Batu Khasikov, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia, Geshe Tenzin Choydak, Shajin Lama of Kalmykia, Alexey Tsydenov, Head of the Republic of Buryatia, Vladislav Khovalyg, Head of the Republic of Tyva, Sholban Kara-ool, Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Oleg Kolomin, representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Astrakhan. The audience will be addressed by representatives of the clergy of the invited countries participating in the forum - China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Nepal.

The creative potential of the forum, based on common values and the desire for intercultural dialogue, was highlighted by the performances of the A.O.-G. Tsebekov State Choir of the Republic of Kalmykia and the Olymp children's exemplary variety ballet team.

The III International Buddhist Forum will be held in the capital of Kalmykia from September 25 to 28 and will bring together guests from about 35 countries. Representatives of China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Republic of Korea, Belarus, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Brazil, Bhutan, and Spain confirmed their participation in the large–scale platform uniting the global Buddhist community. The Buddhist regions of Russia, Buryatia and Tuva, will join the event.

As part of a large-scale business program, experts will form a common vision of Buddhist responses to the most pressing challenges of our time. Topics of discussion include Buddhism in modern research and its philosophical aspects, Buddhist culture, the history of Buddhism in Asian countries, the preservation of the institution of monasticism, the influence of Buddhism on the attractiveness of domestic and international tourism, and the practice of traditional medicine in Buddhist countries.

A concert by Igor Butman, People's Artist of the Russian Federation, a musical offering to Three Jewels, as well as the Harmony of Strength and Spirit international Martial arts festival will be held on the sidelines of the cultural program of the forum.

In total, the organizers have prepared over 50 events of the forum.