TEHRAN - Aiming to boost the rural economy and develop the horse breeding industry, Kalaleh is set to play host to the 18th edition of a national festival dedicated to Turkmen horses on May 15.

On Tuesday, Kalaleh’s governor highlighted the festival's significant potential for enhancing the local horse breeding culture, bringing joy and vitality to the community, and fostering the growth of the tourism industry.

“The purebred Turkmen horse is a unique asset for the district,” Farhad Shakib added. “And hosting this festival provides an opportunity to revive and showcase the customs, traditions, and culture of the people in the region.”

Shakib also mentioned the planning sessions held to ensure a magnificent execution of the one-day event.

He emphasized the importance of recognizing the characteristics of the purebred Turkmen horse to enthusiasts and the broader community, as well as focusing on wealth generation and strengthening the tourism industry.

According to the event organizers, the festival, which will be held in the Sofian village within Kalaleh, is expected to be grander than last year’s edition.

The previous festival saw participation from horses across multiple provinces including Golestan, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, Fars, Qazvin, Tehran, Alborz, North Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, South Khorasan, Mazandaran, Gilan, Semnan, and Isfahan, competing in 10 different classes, the governor further explained.

Each spring, horse lovers gather to enjoy the display of beauty and agility of these noble animals, making it a much-anticipated event in the region’s cultural calendar.

XF