Arctic Cultural Forum in Salekhard Addresses Cultural Initiatives in the North

Participants in the 4th Arctic Cultural Forum, which was held in Salekhard as part of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023, discussed the development of creative industries in high latitudes, the work of museums and libraries, as well as improvements to the regulatory framework for cultural and leisure issues. The chairmanship events are managed by the Roscongress Foundation.

“The cultural component in the region’s work is crucial. We decided to kick off our year with such a major event as the Arctic Cultural Forum. Specialists in their industry always need to communicate with each other and improve their professional level. To this end, we invited the best cultural figures of Russia so that Yamal will always be in the top positions,” Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District Governor Dmitry Artyukhov said.

The programme of the 4th Arctic Cultural Forum included a plenary session, breakout sessions, discussion platforms, roundtables, public lectures, creative meetings, master classes, and seminars.

During the Forum, the participants identified specific mechanisms for the development of cultural and leisure institutions. The Forum’s main objective was to create centres of attraction with an accessible and comfortable environment based on such institutions. The participants looked at ways to promote handicrafts with the aim of growing the creative economy. For their part, librarians studied the capabilities of digital technologies and their resources for working with guests, and also developed a mobile application focused on the user’s interests.

The Forum’s cultural programme featured performances by groups and soloists of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District as well as exhibitions, in particular, the exposition project ‘Transpolar Highway: Lessons of the Wilderness’, ‘The Diary of an Obdorsk Missionary’, and the exhibition ‘Irinarch of the Many Faces’.

The event was attended by over 500 people from 16 regions of Russia, including representatives of the authorities and NPO, employees of cultural institutions, as well as public figures and entrepreneurs.

Russia is chairing the Arctic Council in 2021–2023. The comprehensive programme of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council aims to promote cooperation to improve the well-being and quality of life of the Arctic population, including the Indigenous peoples of the North, adapt the Arctic to the effects of climate change, conserve the biodiversity and unique ecosystems of the Arctic, ensure socioeconomic development, find solutions in matters concerning global energy and transport security, promote scientific cooperation in high latitudes, and strengthen international cooperation.