The Sochi 2013 olimpic torch relay ,today is in ELISTA, Capital of the Republic of Kalmykia, The reason for the founding of the city of Elista was to assist the forrestation efforts of the Kalmykian Steppe. Several settlements were founded in the middle of the nineteenth century. Elista distinguished itself because major cattle fairs were held here. In 1925 the city became the center of the Kalmyk Autonomous Oblast. Since that time Elista associated with Kalmykia. Today it is the administrative and cultural center of a very distinctive region. Since the end of the last century Elista has garnered still another reputation as a chess capital of Russia. Thanks to the ability of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, President of FIDE, the so- called Chess City was established here, where chess competitions are frequently held at all different levels. Interesting Facts Elista (or more precisely, Elsta) translated from the Kalmyk means sandy. Despite its relatively short history, Elista has undergone changes. From 1944 to 1957 the city was named Stepnaya. The first resident of Elista is considered to be the peasant Stepan Prokopyevich Kiykov, who in 1862 built his earth house on the site of the present-day city. Three years later there were already 15 households in Elista. A monument to Ostap Bender was erected in the capital of Kalmykia; this is a reference to the chessplayers of New Vasyuki, which, unlike in the literary work, was actually realized in Elista. The famous cry of Ura! [Hurrah!] has its origins in Kalmyk. This is how the Kalmyk archers cried out in the army of Peter the Great. The emperor was so pleased with the deterrent effect produced by the shout that he ordered his other ranks of soldiers to adopt the cry in battle. Elista is considered to be the Buddhist capital of Russia. The dishes of Kalmyk national cuisine are well represented in Elista. Traditional byorigi pelmeni [dumplings], dotur giblet soup, and dzhomba tea, and bortsoki pies fried in butter are considered to be its trademark dishes.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 08:16:15 +0000
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