Murmansk To Host Exhibition of Cultural and Traditional Economic Achievements of Northern Indigenous Peoples

Murmansk will host the 6th ‘Treasures of the Sami Land’ International Exhibition and Fair of the Cultural and Traditional Economic Achievements of the Indigenous Peoples of the North on 25–27 November. The exhibition is part of the plan of events of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023, which are being managed by the Roscongress Foundation.

The main goal of the exhibition is to preserve and develop the spiritual wealth and identity of the unique culture of the Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East. It will be attended by representatives of communities and folk-art craft institutions, artists, craftsmen, as well as national folklore groups of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East. The exhibition will feature works by residents of the Republics of Karelia, Komi, Udmurtia, and Yakutia, the Yamal-Nenets and Nenets Autonomous Districts, the Kamchatka and Altai Territories, and the Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Tomsk Regions.

In particular, the exhibition guests will have a chance to view traditional clothing items, deer fur ornaments, souvenirs carved from bone, antlers, and wood, unique jewellery, and items made from beads and roots.

The event’s business programme includes the Forum ‘Preserving the Culture of the Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic: New Approaches and Prospects for Development’. Representatives of the executive authorities, heads of local governments, and specialists from cultural and educational institutions from the regions of the traditional residence of Indigenous Peoples will discuss ways to support the ethno-cultural heritage, spiritual wealth, and cultural identity of small-numbered ethnic groups and promote traditional and modern folk crafts, handicrafts, and the national traditions of the Indigenous Peoples.

In addition, visitors to the ‘Treasures of the Sami Land’ exhibition will be able to attend educational lectures and master classes, presentations of works on the Sami theme, projects that aim to ensure the socioeconomic and cultural development of the Indigenous Peoples of the North, and such competitions as ‘Best Work of National Folk Art’ and ‘Best National Costume’.

The 6th ‘Treasures of the Sami Land’ International Exhibition and Fair of the Cultural and Traditional Economic Achievements of the Indigenous Peoples of the North will take place at the Kirov Murmansk Regional Palace of Culture and Folk Art. Entry is free. The event is being organized by the Murmansk Regional Centre for Indigenous Minorities of the North and Interethnic Cooperation with the support of the Government of the Murmansk Region and the Association of the Kola Saami.

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.