OREANDA-NEWS The opening ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games began in Kyrgyzstan, RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Monday.

The audience began arriving at the venue 4-5 hours before the start, before the official opening ceremony they were entertained by local artists - singers and dancers. The event will culminate with a performance by a global star, former vocalist of The Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger.

The opening ceremony of the games is also attended by the most distinguished guests - all participants of the upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which will be held in Bishkek on Tuesday, gathered here. Including Russian President Vladimir Putin. More than 1.3 thousand journalists representing about 700 media outlets from all over the world cover the games.

The World Nomad Games were first held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014. The program of the games includes competitions in traditional sports of the nomadic peoples of Central Asia, as well as cultural and scientific events.

The current Nomad Games are the sixth in a row. About 3,000 athletes from 112 countries will take part in them. The competition will be held from September 1-6 in Bishkek and on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Russians will compete in all disciplines with a record 236 athletes.