LEGENDS OF THE GREAT STEPPE

Vast is the Great Steppe – immense and great, its borders are far and wide… From one century to the next, it is protected by the Spirit of the Steppe. These unbounded expanses are inhabited by people who crave superiority and dominion over the gifts of the Great Steppe, and their conflicts and feuds never end… Wanting to strengthen his people’s standing, the Sultan of one of the powerful settlements decides to marry his only Daughter to the worthiest warrior; he sends out messengers with the announcement of a contest of power and daring among the warriors of the Steppe. Representatives of different clans gather on the long-awaited day of the contest. Every settlement wants their warrior to win and to join the Sultan’s settlement – tensions are running high among the crowds. Only the Sultan’s daughter remains indifferent. She steals out to the steppes, where she plays “Sokyr-Teke” with her friends – a game of blind man’s buff. The neighbourhood is filled with the girls’ ringing laughter. Suddenly, a roe deer runs past the girls, pursued by hunters. A Young Warrior from the neighbouring settlement is at the head of the hunting party – he has ignored the contest in favour of his long-standing passion for hunting. The friends run away, leaving the Sultan’s Daughter alone. Struck by the girl’s beauty, the Young Warrior forgets about the chase and stops. The young ones are left alone, consumed by the arising tender feeling. Everything around them transforms – it seems the whole Steppe is rejoicing with them. The lovers are dreaming of a bright future, forgetting about everything else, and before parting ways, they vow fidelity to each other. But there are witnesses of their unexpected meeting – enemy scouts, whose alert eyes are watching the lovers’ every step. They hatch a treacherous plan, and when night falls, they kidnap the girl from her father’s quarters. The Sultan is grief-stricken…

In the enemy camp, the commander of the foreign army and his retinue are making plans to invade new lands and to establish rule over the discordant settlements of the Great Steppe. The returned scouts bring good news – no one in the Steppes is expecting an invasion, and on top of that, they have kidnapped and brought the powerful Sultan’s beautiful Daughter! Commander’s heart fills with passion when he sees her, but she proudly refuses him. Enraged, he orders his men to prepare for war! Shocked by the news of the kidnapping, the Young Warrior goes into the Steppe to grieve. Suddenly, a gale rises, and in its swirls, the astounded Young Warrior sees the Spirit of the Steppe. She tells him of the impending danger – an invasion is on its way – and calls upon him to become the protector of his homeland in the hour of need, instead of wallowing in grief. Recovering from the vision, the Young Batyr is worried for the fate of his native land; he realises that they need to be united to stand against the enemy! His duty is to inspire every son of the Steppe! From now on, his mission is to unite the feuding settlements with one solemn goal – to protect the homeland! The Great Battle takes place. The terrible enemy is vanquished! The people join the Young Warrior under his victorious banner; they have become one! The lovers are restored in happiness, and the people, who have became aware of their true power, praise the Young Warrior, who is pronounced the Great Khan of the Great Steppe!