Tree of life (vep. Elo-pu) is a national festival of the Veps which takes place in summer near the village of Vinnitsi in the Podporozhsky region of the Leningrad Region. The festival has been held since 1987. The idea of conducting a real Veps festival which would be based on the ancient traditions and customs, a festival where the Veps language would unite people who were forced to refuse their roots, their history and individuality came to mind of participants of Leningrad educational center more than 20 years ago.

Now not only the Veps but the Karelians, the Izhorians and the inhabitants from neighborhoods come to the Veps sites for the festival. T

he traditional program includes:

- Folk group performances, outdoor singing and dancing;

- A fair where you can buy souvenirs and various homemade household articles made by skilled craftsmen of Vinnitsky region;

- Food –Veps baked goods (kalitka, kolob and pie), as well as olud – Veps beer.

Theoretical and practical conferences on the language and culture problems of the Veps are held at the festival as well as exhibitions of folk art. More than that, during the festival it is possible to fish and eat fish soup, to boat along the river Oyat, to look at the work of skilled craftsmen and to have a good rest.

The official website Tree of life