Murmansk Hosts Exhibition of Cultural and Traditional Economic Achievements of Northern Indigenous Peoples

The traditional clothes, reindeer fur ornaments, as well as jewellery of northern ethnic groups were presented at 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, which was held in Murmansk 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. The event was attended by more than 200 people from the Republics of Komi, Karelia, Sakha (Yakutia), and Udmurtia, the Altai, Kamchatka, and Krasnoyarsk Territories, the Leningrad, Penza, and Tomsk Regions, and the Nenets, Khanty-Mansi, and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts.

The business programme of the 6th ‘Treasures of the Sami Land’ exhibition included the Forum ‘Preserving the Culture of the Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic: New Approaches and Prospects for Development’, which was attended by 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. As part of the business programme, the experts discussed ways to support and develop the culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples, the interaction of these ethnic groups with the government, and the exchange of experience between representatives of Indigenous peoples from different regions of Russia. In addition, the discussion topics included the prospects for the development of folk-art crafts in the Arctic region, the experience of the regions in the revival of folk crafts, and regional practices for supporting and promoting arts and crafts.

The exhibition guests attended various educational lectures, master classes, and presentations of works about the Sami people. In addition, they took part in projects that aim to promote the socioeconomic and cultural development of the Indigenous peoples of the North and competitions for the ‘Best National Folk Art Work’ 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 took place at the Kirov Murmansk Regional Palace of Culture and Folk Art. The event was 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.