Nikolskaya Fair

Nikolskaya fair is regarded as one of the most important historical traditions in Ishym. The town possessed a favorable geographical location in between European and Asian parts of Russia, and developed into one of the largest trade centers.

The Nikolskaya Fair got started in 1721, and by the end of the XVIIIth century, when Korkina sloboda had been renamed in the town of Ishym, it would attract a great number of merchants. By that time a stone Epiphany cathedral had been built, and every time the fair was opened it was preceded by a starting public prayer at its walls. At that time three fairs were held in Ishym, i.e. in May on the day of Nicolas Miracle-Worker, in August on the day of the Virgin’s Assumption, and in December on the day of the Nicolas Miracle-Worker. The first two fairs were of a local character, and the last was characterized by a wide geographical span, and soon became an important trade event in Siberia and Ural. It could only be compared with the famous Irbit Fair.

There was a wide range of products at the fair: smoked pork and frozen wheel, white and red salmon, furs, household appliances, tableware and frozen cranberry in barrels. Among the products sold at the fair of great importance was melted tallow, which was widely used in manufacturing candles and soap by the producers from Tyumen, Ekaterinburg, Moscow, and some other cities.

The Nikolskaya fair had an impact upon the cultural life of Ishym, enriching local masters with best samples of decoration patterns and handicraft styles. Performances of migrating buffoons and comedians from all over Russia had formed the verbal folklore of Ishym.