"I am being invited to falconry." No, these are not the words of the court of the XVI century. So can say today any resident or guest of the capital. Since 2010, a falconry museum has been operating in the suburbs of Moscow. Professional falconers, trained birds, following all the traditions and immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the ancient art of hunting. And this is only one of the directions of the center, located in a picturesque place 20 kilometers from Moscow.
About falconry: basic information
Historians suggest that the traditions of hunting with the help of falcons originated around the 13th century BC in China. At the beginning of the new millennium, falconry became popular in Japan and Korea and spread further on the continent. It is believed that Genghis Khan himself was her connoisseur and lover.
In Europe, hunting with gyrfalcons has been known since about the 5th century. Her connoisseurs were Charles the Great and Frederick I Barbarossa. Since the 15th century, falconry has become the privilege of the nobility, acquiring the signs of ceremonial. A whole court hierarchy is being formed. The king hunts with gyrfalcons, princes and dukes with a peregrine falcon, other representatives of the nobility had the right to hawks.
In Russia, falconry appeared, apparently, thanks to the nomad Khazars. Falcons and hawks are mentioned in the spiritual Vladimir Monomakh. At the court of Ivan the Terrible there were several hundred birds; even taxes from merchants were often taken with pigeons for falcons.
Today this type of hunting is popular in more than 80 countries; it is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage site of UNESCO.
Falconry Center
Hunting traditions with the help of hawks and falcons are being revived in Russia today. The author of the project was Konstantin Sokolov, a member of the international organization of Sokolniki, the developer of the program for the revival of the rules and traditions of hunting with birds.
On his initiative, almost ten years ago, the Center for falconry in Mytishchi was created. It spreads over an area of 20 hectares of the Khlebnikov forest park near the Samoryadovka river.
The center employs professional falconers, trainers, environmentalists, art critics. There is everything you need for connoisseurs of nature, culture, history and animal lovers.
Among the main areas of work of the center-museum:
- development and popularization of falconry traditions as part of the cultural heritage;
- research, analytical, publishing in the field of environmental education;
- exhibition work, organization of performances, creative meetings;
- creation and replenishment of a library of publications and manuals on falconry, collection of relevant artifacts;
- educational work (lectures, excursions, master classes, seminars).
The center also houses: a falconry school, an equestrian club, an ecopark, a museum, training grounds and a children's camp.
Museum complex
The Museum of Nature and Falconry combines objects of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Initially, the exposition was located in a small hut. On the ground floor there was a video library and the exhibition "Nature Around Us", and on the second floor there was a direct exhibition dedicated to the history and traditions of European, Asian, American, Arab and Japanese falconry.
During the work, the number of exhibits has grown so much that the Asian part of the collection of the museum of falconry was moved to a separate … building. Rather, in an exact copy of the Mongolian yurt, the ancient home of the nomad falconers!
Today the museum has more than 750 exhibits from about 40 countries. These are falconry ammunition, national hunting suits, sculptures, books, prints. There is a Falconry School at the museum. Hunting birds (falcons, hawks, owls, eagles) live in a special Falcon yard, instructors and guides train. Visitors can not only participate in an interactive tour, but also try themselves in the role of a falconer.
Tours and programs
Once having visited the museum of nature and falconry of the village of Lyskovo for a couple of hours to get acquainted, you can become a regular guest. After all, the range of exciting activities offered to guests is very wide. First of all, we are talking about excursion programs:
- visiting the museum and getting acquainted with the history of falconry;
- participation in the training of hunting birds in the falconry, photo shoots with them;
- communication with various farm animals at the zoo;
- team games and quests for adults and children;
- archery and bow games;
- visiting the dog club "Lucky Dogs" and walking with sledding, shepherd, hunting dogs.
The employees of the center offer thematic thematic excursion programs: “Falconry of the Great Steppe”, “Hunting of all times and peoples”. And also excursions quests: "Around the world on falcon wings"; "Secrets of falconry."
You must sign up for the program in advance by contacting the center by phone or email.
Horse Club
Take a leisurely horseback ride or learn how to ride a gait? The choice is for the guests of the center. The equestrian club of the Museum of falconry creates all conditions for this. Among the services provided by the club:
- horse rides;
- horse riding vocational training;
- photo shoot programs;
- training course "Skillful Horseman".
Walks take place not only on the parade ground under the control of the coach, but also in the picturesque surroundings of the center. Horseback riding training - from any age. The club is home to trained and friendly horses, which are kept quite freely, as well as a public favorite, the donkey Bantik.
Training programs (2-day and 6-day) allow you to learn in detail about the rules of feeding and keeping horses, cleaning and saddle, methods of treatment. Trainees receive a certificate.
Quest club
This club of the Museum of falconry is developing special programs for children and adolescents. These include hunting bird communication, ecological park tours, theme games, outdoor competitions, and teamwork.
For children 5-9 years old, an open-air cognitive quest "The Secret of the Chest" is offered. The game lasts more than 2 hours and takes place on the territory of the ecopark. Participants in a fascinating way get acquainted with the history and traditions of falconry.
Older children (10-14 years) can become participants in the quest "All year round." After meeting the hunter birds and a sightseeing tour, there is a division into the teams participating in the travel game. The program ends with a photo shoot with hunting birds and a tea party.
Young Sokolnik
You can not only come to the Museum of falconry on a 2-hour tour, but also stay here for a week. During the summer holidays, a children's camp for children 9-15 years old operates at the center. “Young Sokolnik” means daily adventures, walks in the fresh air, talking with animals, living in yurts, learning the basics of falconry, educational quests and competitions, healthy eating (based on farm products).
The program of stay in the camp provides for a partial refusal to use modern technologies, the formation of life skills in nature, and the ability to interact with flora and fauna. The children will be able to learn how to ride, train hunting birds and dogs, shoot archery, cook food at the stake. All this under the strict guidance of trainers, counselors, medical personnel.
Holidays and events
A significant part of the positive reviews about the Museum of falconry is associated with the opportunity to organize a celebration for every taste on its territory.
In addition to outdoor and informative games and quests, suitable for corporate parties, as well as for children's birthday or graduation, scenarios of theme holidays have also been developed.
The graduation program for fourth graders includes three stages: an excursion, a quest and a picnic. During the tour, students learn about falconry, horses, solve riddles, play with animals. Then there are outdoor games and competitions in the park, followed by refreshments in nature or in a yurt.
From March 1 to March 17, 2019, the celebration of Maslenitsa is planned. The program includes not only pancake treats, sleigh rides and horse riding, but also excursions, game programs, a falconry lesson, participation in the “Pancake week feeding” of hunting birds.
Bow and arrows
Bow hunting is akin to art. You need to be able to take into account the speed and direction of the wind, the trajectory of the prey, the weight of the arrow and the tension of the bowstring. You can try yourself in this difficult matter in the bow dash of the Museum of falconry.
At a special training site, the instructors of the center introduce guests to all the intricacies of archery, and select special equipment. Master classes by experienced trainers are available. Shooting allows you to relieve tension, improve coordination and the eye. Suitable for people of any age.
You can also try your hand at the command tactical archery game Archery tag. The goal is to hit the opponent with a soft arrow. Such hits are painless. You can enjoy the fresh air and adrenaline. You can play in large teams and small groups. Thematic scatter of scenarios: from the traditional wall-to-wall to search and capture strategies. Restrictions on age - from 11 years.
Anticafe, farm, dog club
The Museum of falconry in Mytishchi is full of surprises. In addition to all of the above, there are many other interesting places.
In falconry, hunting dogs were often used. Usually they were cops trained to work in conjunction with birds. You can get to know them better by visiting the Happy Dogs Club. Now there are five pets living in it: husky, Bernese mountain dog and three pointers, who are preparing for field hunting. Guests can play with the dogs, take a walk with them or participate in the cannichros (driving discipline, during which the dog pulls the running athlete along a special belt).
The center also has its own farm, which allows guests to purchase natural products: chicken and quail eggs, goat milk, lamb. Goats, geese, indole, sheep and rabbits are also bred.
Want to drink tea in a real Mongolian yurt? At your service antikafe "Yurt", accommodating up to 20 people.
