Dagestan hosts a traditional folk holiday "Day of Akhtyn apples"

On Friday, October 15, in the Akhtynsky district of Dagestan, the traditional holiday of folk culture "Day of Akhtynsky apples" was held. The event came out solemn, colorful, spectacular, cheerful, full of the spirit of hospitality and diligence.

At the entrance to the village of Akhty, where the obelisk of Glory to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War was built, the pupils of the Lutkun Children's Music School were the first to receive the arriving guests with bouquets of flowers. Distinguished guests were greeted with apple pie and dancing in front of the Askar-Saryj School of Fine Arts. Children's art works and expositions on historical, ethnic, military-patriotic, environmental, cultural, agricultural and other topics were exhibited here. A photo exhibition was also organized from the funds of the local museum of local lore, reflecting memorable moments from the history of the agricultural industry of the region.

In the park named after the Hero of the Soviet Union Valentin Emirov, the farmsteads of the villages of Akhty, Lutkun, Fii, Khryug, Khnov, Zrykh, Gdym, Ukhul, Smugul, Dzhaba, Kaka, Yalak and Kalukh are located. There were many crafts, illustrations and exhibition decorations with the main character of the holiday - an apple of various shades. More than two dozen types of apple trees are cultivated in the region, including rare "grandfather's" varieties. Antique household utensils, traditional musical instruments, folk costumes, posters with photographs of the sights of the villages and eminent personalities, a demonstration of baking and other processes of home cooking and mountain life - you can’t count everything. In each courtyard, to the accompaniment of a zurna and a drum, guests were cordially invited to a festive table with a rich variety of dishes. The employees of the Museum of Culture and Art arranged a platform, a kind of "memory space", tells about the natives of the region - eminent scientists, leaders in production, well-known political and public figures. The event was also supported by the regional branch of Rosselkhozbank JSC, which organized an information stand about banking products available to farmers.

In his welcoming speech, the head of the Akhtynsky district, Osman Abdulkerimov, noted that the main wealth of the district is hardworking and seasoned people, professionals in their field, who have made a significant contribution to the development of the republic and the country.

“Celebrating the traditional Day of Akhtyn Apples, we pay tribute to the veterans of agriculture in our region. An example of the highest honor and dignity for us are representatives of the older generation, who glorified the area in the Soviet years, workers, noble gardeners, livestock breeders, workers who still enjoy well-deserved respect among fellow countrymen. Among them are many practicing gardeners, plant breeders, holders of the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner of Labor. Agriculture today is the fundamental branch of the economy of the Akhtyn region. Animal husbandry of the meat and dairy direction, sheep breeding, poultry farming, beekeeping, fruit growing and vegetable growing are developed. Investment projects in the agricultural sector allowed the district to achieve a positive result in the competitive selection for participation in the federal state program "Integrated Development of Rural Territories". I want to express my gratitude to the Head of the Republic of Dagestan Sergey Alimovich Melikov and the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan Battal Vagidovich Battalov for their support in the implementation of socially significant projects for the mountainous region,” he said.

On behalf of Minister Battal Batalov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan Zurab Kuchchaev conveyed warm congratulatory words to the workers of the villages of the Akhtyn region. He noted with satisfaction that the presence of a large number of scientists - natives of the region speaks of the persistent desire of the Akhty people to acquire knowledge and search for a new advanced one, including the field of horticulture. The brand of Akhtynsky apples, known since ancient times, received its first world scientific recognition in the 60s of the last century in Paris, when the Ranet Akhtynsky variety apples were awarded the gold medal of the World Fruit Competition. As Z. Kuchchaev assured, the creative spirit of the farmers of the Akhtynsky district will be supported in every possible way through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan.

The head of the Rutulsky district, Ibragim Ibragimov, is delighted with the beauty of the Akhtyn apple orchards created by the industrious hands of the highlanders, which successfully complement the already picturesque landscapes of these places. His colleague, the head of the Dokuzparinsky district, Magomed Shamilov, called the Day of Akhtynsky apples a holiday, embodying boundless love for honoring the labor traditions of the mountainous region. Deputy of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Dagestan Magomed Alikhanov sees the basis for the further prosperity of horticulture in the development of the canning industry. The head of the city of Dagestanskiye Ogni Jalalutdin Alirzaev, the head of the department for processing agricultural products, project management and investment policy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan Agabala Agakhanov, and numerous guests from the surrounding municipalities and the capital of the republic also came to congratulate the residents of the Akhtynsky district.

The festive atmosphere of the event was diversified by vocal and choreographic performances and circus performances. There was also an awards ceremony. More than a dozen managers and specialists of agricultural organizations, farmers and owners of personal subsidiary plots were awarded the Certificates of Honor of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan. In addition, honorary diplomas of the administration of the Akhtynsky district were awarded to distinguished workers of the agro-industrial complex of the district, as well as workers in education and culture.