Kozmodemyansk is one of the most beautiful cities in the Republic of Mary El, founded in 1583. The city, situated on the right bank of the river Volga, belongs to small historic towns of Russia.

Kozmodemyansk is mentioned in the famous novel "The Twelve Chairs" by I. Ilf and E. Petrov put down in 1927.

In the novel, the city was called Vasyuki, according to the novel in the city enormous intellectual activity takes place: chess tournament.

To mark the city mentioning at the pages of classical literature the International Festival of humour and satire "Benderiada” was started in Kozmodemyansk since 1995. The event is called by the name of the novel's protagonist.

In 2014 the festival celebrates is the 20-th anniversary.

In time of the festival the mood of excitement, courage and carefree fun reigns in the city.

The festival activities include concerts, KVN (club of smart and humorous people) presentations, meetings with Ostap Bender at Vasyuki pier, carnival procession, chess tournament, auction "12 chairs" (the winner gets real diamonds), intellectual auction based on the knowing the plot of the novel "12 chairs", cockroach races, "triathlon", partially reenacting Ostap way described in the novel.

Throughout the city many sites operate: folklore, sports, children, youth ones and others.

The festival is crowned by colorful fireworks.