Circle of Life promotions

On July 26, 2025, an unusual event combining ecology, art and traditions took place in the Tuzhi Land Art Park in Transbaikalia. Instead of the annual Tuzhi Art art festival, which was canceled due to fires that attacked Transbaikalia in the spring and early summer, the organizers held a Circle of Life campaign to plant 108 trees in the shape of a circle with a diameter of 70 meters.

This was not done by chance: according to the artist and creator of the Land art park, Dasha Namdakov, this has its own sacred meaning.:

"The circle is the most important philosophical sign that unites everyone. It is a symbol of the sun, peace, and the cyclical nature of all life processes. Thanks to all the people who responded to our initiative."

The event participants were presented with a presentation of Dasha Namdakov's new multi-figure work dedicated to the 12 signs of the Eastern horoscope. A separate wooden sculpture with an animal symbol was created for each of them.

A new and extremely important object has also appeared in the park - the large bell "Khan Darkhanai honkho", which was consecrated by a shaman, according to whom only men are supposed to beat it. The sound of the bell, deep and strong, sounded mystically magical.

An evening performance of the orchestra was planned near the new facility. The guests were sitting on the ground: some on a large blanket, some just on the green soft grass. The brass band concert sounded impressive under the open, clear sky. The musicians performed a new composition by Bair Dondokov, created for the orchestra, and dedicated to Dasha Namdakov's work "Khan darkhanai honkho". The artists played not only instruments, but also the bell itself. Even hammers and anvils were used, and the ringing of the bell became the culmination of the second part of the performance.

In the evening, the guests were presented the premiere musical and plastic performance "DASHI Steppe Mirages", which, according to director Oleg Yumov, was based on the works of Dasha Namdakov. The performance is based on modern choreography, which harmoniously combines with vocals and poetry. It was performed by the artists of the Buryat State Academic Drama Theater. Hotsa Namsaraeva.

Participants and invited guests:

Alexander Osipov, Governor of the Trans-Baikal Territory

Dashi Namdakov is a Russian sculptor, painter and jeweler.

Elizaveta Likhacheva – art critic

Yulia Vasilenko is the head of the Department of Special Projects and programs to support young art at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art.

Ksenia Lamshina – creator of the telegram channel "Cultural People" and editor-in-chief of "Culture of Moscow"

Bator Bubeev – head of the administration of the rural settlement "Ukurikskoye"

Dimit Namdakova – Director of Development of the Art Foundation for the Promotion of Culture and Art named after Dashi Namdakova