On October 29, 2024, the city of Naryn will transform into a culinary exploration hub as it braces to host the Secret of Six Tastes family festival at the Zh. Sheraliev Children's Art School. This event, organized by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), aligns with World Food Day, which this year highlights food security and the right of everyone to access healthy and affordable food.
So, how does this global idea come to life at a children's festival? It’s simple — through playful activities, fun experiences, and an introduction to delicious foods that benefit our health. The festival promises to be an exciting adventure for children and their parents. The organizers have planned a variety of interactive activities, each linked to one of the six basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, and astringent.
Zuura, the festival’s main character and the keeper of the Secrets of the Magic Garden ancient book, will guide participants through different stations where they can not only taste various foods but also learn how these foods impact our bodies and why maintaining a balanced diet is essential.
In the sweet section, children will discover that sweetness is not only found in candies. Honey, fruits, and even certain vegetables are great natural sources of sugar. Meanwhile, the sour station will introduce them to foods that aid digestion and open their eyes to new flavor combinations.
However, this festival is not just about taste. The organizers have also ensured that both kids and adults will learn how to care for the environment. During hands-on workshops, participants will create crafts from plastic waste and learn how to recycle old items, showcasing that everyone can make a difference for the planet. This ties directly to the World Food Day theme, emphasizing the importance of healthy, high-quality food, biodiversity conservation, and waste reduction. The festival reinforces the message that food is not just fuel for our bodies — it’s also a crucial part of culture, health, and our responsibility to future generations.
To add a competitive twist, children will earn "tyiynchiks" — game coins — for each completed task, which they can trade for fun and useful prizes like board games, calendars, magnets, and sports sets. The prize exchange will be rewarding to wrap up the day’s activities.
The Secret of Six Tastes festival promises to be a vibrant event for the whole family, offering new knowledge about food and the environment and plenty of joyful memories.