The Kirov region marks its 89th anniversary on 5 December

Today, 5 December, the Kirov region celebrates its 89th anniversary. On this day in 1936, it was transformed from the Kirov Territory into a region with its administrative centre in the city whose historical name, Vyatka, is still used informally to refer to the whole area.

The Vyatka land is the birthplace of folk artistic crafts known throughout the world. Here, the secrets of craftsmanship are passed down from generation to generation, and epic images come to life in clay, wood and thread. Vyatka honey, the Dymkovo toy, Kukarka lace — these and other regional brands have long become the hallmark of the region.

The Kirov region carefully preserves its identity while remaining modern and attractive for investment. Sustainable development, strong industrial enterprises and a highly skilled workforce make the region an important part not only of the Volga Federal District but also of the whole of Russia.

"We live in an amazing and distinctive region of Russia, rich in history, unique nature, kind people and great traditions. Here, people are proud of their past, build the present through their hard work and look to the future with confidence. This is a place where talent is born and dreams come true, where the strength of our ancestors lives on and where enormous love for the homeland endures. We are one big, united family that cares about the fate of its land and the entire country, believes in its own strength and knows how to unite in the face of any challenges," said Governor of the Kirov Region Alexander Sokolov.

He also noted that, throughout history, the Vyatka land has been renowned for its people — intelligent, active and full of initiative, ready to bring bold ideas to life.

"Together we are achieving a great deal: developing industry and agriculture, building infrastructure, attracting investment and introducing innovative technologies. We have changed the image of the region within Russia and continue to move forward to make the Kirov region even more interesting and appealing, as comfortable and welcoming as possible — a region where people want to build strong families, where children’s joyful voices are heard and where young people choose to live and work on their native land," added Alexander Sokolov.

Visitors can learn more about the Vyatka land at the "Journey Across Russia" exposition. In the area dedicated to the Volga Federal District, guests can discover the region’s modern achievements and traditional crafts and even take part in a creative interactive activity by producing their own version of the famous Dymkovo toy using video projections featuring common painting motifs.