Anna Shulga: "A guide is an actor who evokes emotions and inspires"
A guide is not just a skilful narrator with extensive knowledge. Their main task lies in creating a special atmosphere of an exciting adventure, capable of evoking a sense of pride in one's country and prompting a contribution to its development. Anna Shulga, a guide at the National Centre RUSSIA, spoke about why it is important for her to visit regions, what visitors teach her, and shared on the specifics of working with foreigners and young people.
Anna Shulga's introduction to the guiding profession occurred long before the International RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH, which opened on 4 November 2023. Back then, she organised tours in the regions, involving local professional guides. To better understand the specifics of their work, Anna decided to obtain additional education as a tour guide. However, it was the RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH that became the event which helped her become part of the large and friendly family of guides. The very first tour was conducted by her right there, in Pavilion No. 75, where all regions of Russia were represented. After the conclusion of the RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH, the National Centre RUSSIA was opened. Today, Anna Shulga leads tours of the "Journey Across Russia" and "Book of Fairy Tales" expositions. Just last year, she conducted more than 700 tours.
Anna says she encourages visitors to ask questions and is pleased when they can share personal experiences or knowledge that can be used in her future work.
"I always listen carefully to the guests of the expositions, and I am very grateful for their questions, observations and additional information, or new facts previously unknown to me. My love for travel helps me a lot in my work. I have been to many places in Russia. Therefore, in my stories at the 'Journey Across Russia' exposition, there is always personal experience and stories from people I have spoken with, not just things I've read in books. Currently, I have visited 53 regions of Russia, but I plan to travel to all of them without exception," says Anna Shulga.
Anna often accompanies visitors who, for various reasons, require a special approach. She recalls meeting a boy named Timur, who had long dreamed of meeting Olympic champion Roman Kostomarov. And this meeting took place during the New Year holidays at the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition.
"They met each other at the 'Book of Fairy Tales' exposition. The tour we organised for them was conducted in a somewhat shortened manner because both Timur and Roman Kostomarov use prosthetics. Following the standard exposition route, which lasts 1.5 hours, would have been difficult for them. Therefore, we planned the route in advance and picked the stands we would focus on. In the end, we kept perfectly to the allotted time. But the main thing was that Timur's dream came true. And I am very pleased that it happened at the National Centre RUSSIA," says Anna Shulga.
It is very interesting to watch adults at the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition, as they seem to be transported back to childhood. The guide noted that they are interested in everything, they pay attention to absolutely all details, smile, and recharge with positive energy. Anna recalls how, in September 2025, the team of guides was preparing for the opening of the new exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future". The first thing that would catch an eye was a mock up of a railway platform with a recreated model of the legendary experimental high-speed locomotive, 2-3-2B type. In the late 1930s, it reached tremendous speeds – up to 175 km/h – and became one of the symbols of the engineering achievements of its time. Before the important event, there were hours-long rehearsals. Everyone had to clearly understand where they stood and what they would talk about.
Anna, together with participants of the "Young Tour Guides School of Russia" project, spoke about the history of the steam locomotive and conducted a tour of the exposition: "From my personal experience, I can say that high-ranking guests are incredibly interesting and pleasant people. They often show engagement. They can easily joke, talk with a young guide, and share interesting facts related to the topic being discussed."
Foreign students from Russian universities are another group of visitors that the guide accompanies. Anna says that despite their knowledge of English, the students themselves ask to be spoken to in Russian.
"To a foreign student, it is very important to receive information in Russian. For us guides, this is an interesting task. You need to speak in a way that the words you use and the very structure of the sentences clearly convey the meaning. At the same time, we must speak beautifully and, if possible, use the vocabulary richness of our native language. By the way, students from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia quite often visit our expositions," said Anna Shulga.
What is more important – to convey meaning or evoke an emotion? Every guide will answer this question differently. Anna Shulga knows how to combine the two: "A guide can be compared to a theatre actor. You talk about something, convey important meanings, add something of your own, and engage emotions. If you are speaking in a convincing way, people listen to you attentively. For me, working at expositions is my stage. But performing on this stage has an important purpose. I would like that after learning the story, visitors themselves want to find some additional information. To read something or watch a film, or even travel to another region to see everything with their own eyes."
Anna Shulga also conducts tours for teenagers. Dealing with them requires no less responsibility than with distinguished guests. The guide explains that children at this age are already capable of making conscious choices. Therefore, when talking about the country at the "Journey Across Russia" exposition, she not only describes its beauty and wealth but also fulfils another important mission: "I try to convey the idea that soon our young guests will have to decide for themselves in which area they want to develop and be useful to society. This is a key theme for the National Centre RUSSIA and for me personally – to inspire children and adults to contribute to the country's development. Perhaps this is the sacred meaning of a guide's work."
It should be added that on the eve of International Tourist Guide Day, a ceremony was held to honour the best guides and young guides of the National Centre RUSSIA. 38 people received letters of gratitude for their professionalism, dedication, and contribution to the development of cultural and educational activities. Among them was Anna Shulga, who received her award from the hands of the Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Olga Galaktionova, as recognition of her merits in the category "Master of International Visits: Best in Protocol Affairs". The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, representatives of state bodies, and cultural institutions.
