Far North Sociocultural Projects to Be Presented at ‘Civil Initiatives of the 60th Parallel Regions’ Forum

Participants in sessions as part of the track ‘Social and Cultural Initiatives and Best Non-Profit Projects in Creative Entrepreneurship’ at the ‘Civil Initiatives of the 60th Parallel Regions’ International Humanitarian Forum in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District city of Kogalym on 21–22 November will discuss modern cultural achievements of Russia’s northern regions. Discussions on this issue are being organized by the Innosocium Foundation, the social platform of the Roscongress Foundation. The business programme is part of the plan of events of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023, which are managed by the Roscongress Foundation.

“Nature and people in the Arctic are particularly sensitive to any changes, whether it be climate change, new economic conditions, or technological advances. Today, given the turbulence of the world economy and instability in trade and political relations, it is crucial to pay close attention to such humanitarian issues as preserving the environment, crafts, and traditions of Indigenous peoples. The Roscongress Foundation is managing the events of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023 and has stressed the particular importance of integrating the cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples of the Russian North into modern culture as key components of the social aspect of a sustainable system of intensive development in the northern territories,” said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for Russia’s Chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023.

“Only by combining the efforts of the government and civil society will we be able to create decent conditions for people to live and work in the Far North and implement projects that will affect the region’s socioeconomic development. To ensure sustainable economic growth, we must take into account the social needs of non-profit organizations and social entrepreneurs and provide them with all kinds of support,” Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic Alexey Chekunkov said.

The main theme of the business programme as part of the track ‘Social and Cultural Initiatives and Best Non-Profit Projects in Creative Entrepreneurship’ is how to improve the quality of life in the natural and climatic conditions of the northern territories as one of the most important priorities of the government’s policy in the Arctic. The discussions will focus on the organization of public spaces, the use of scientific achievements to develop territories, the establishment of points of attraction in the regions, and the improvement of living conditions in the North.

“Yugra traditionally focuses on people, as reflected in the projects that are being implemented and the updated strategy for the region’s development adopted in November. Its priorities are quality of life, human capital, a smart economy, and the protection of people’s health. Each region on the 60th parallel has its own practices and approaches to solving such problems, which unite the efforts of civil society, business, and the government. The forum is a platform for scaling up effective projects and the ‘socialization’ of new initiatives. A trust-based dialogue is the foundation for moving forward and an investment in sustainable socioeconomic development, which is centered around people,” Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District-Yugra Governor Natalya Komarova said. 

The cultural programme of the track ‘Social and Cultural Initiatives and Best Non-Profit Projects in Creative Entrepreneurship’ will include five public talks that will be attended by experts and opinion leaders from the creative and social sectors, an exhibition of digital art about the culture of the Indigenous peoples of the North, an exhibition of art installations of ice and light created by artists from the northern regions, and a gastro show of national dishes of Arctic cuisine. The ‘Soul of Russia. The North’ audio-visual project will include an ethnic show of musical and dance groups. Special thematic programmes will be held by Yakut hip-hop performers KitJah and MOSKILA featuring DJ Gudeykon, the Khaytnut Eryg ethno group, the Smola dance group, the Yudi Theatre of Modern Choreography from Tomsk, and Vera Kondratyeva and Dance company INSIDE. The audience will also view the Arctic Mix audio-visual performance with kinetic 3D objects, a laser show, and ethnic music. Participants and guests of the Eastern Economic Forum in September 2022 in Vladivostok previously had a chance to see the ‘Soul of Russia. The North’ pilot project on the stage of the Far East Street exhibition. The events of the ‘Soul of Russia. The North’ audio-visual project will be held on 22 November at the Galaktika Mall in Kogalym.

“Searching for ways to solve the pressing social problems facing representatives of the Indigenous peoples who inhabit Russia’s northern regions is one of the most important goals of our country’s activities in high latitudes. We are counting on support from civil society to solve these problems. People living in special climatic conditions who possess a unique cultural code and unconventional creative ideas should have the opportunity not only to realize their potential in traditional crafts and trades, but also to contribute to the development of education, culture, the economy, and politics,” said Nikolay Korchunov, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Arctic Senior Officials.

The ‘Civil Initiatives of the 60th Parallel Regions’ International Humanitarian Forum aims to unite the efforts of socially oriented non-profit organizations to support a humanitarian dialogue, maintain civil peace and harmony in Russian society, as well as develop private civil initiatives for the sustainable development of the country in the current conditions.

Russia is the chair of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023. One of Russia’s main priorities is to develop human capital in the region, including the Indigenous peoples of the North. Russia devotes special attention to maintaining the sustainability and viability of the peoples of the North, promoting measures to adapt them to climate change, improving people’s well-being, health, education, and quality of life, and ensuring sustainable socioeconomic development throughout the region. The Russian side has initiated projects to digitalize the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Indigenous peoples of the North, develop renewable energy sources, create an international Arctic research station that runs on carbon-free energy, and ensure biosecurity in the Arctic. In addition, Russia is preparing draft proposals on the traditional medicine of Indigenous peoples and the development of creative industries in the Arctic, and is working on an initiative to create Digital Museums of the Arctic.