Million-follower bloggers saw the Caucasus in a new light at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The National Centre RUSSIA hosted the premiere screening of the film "The Caucasus Beneath Me". The seven-part documentary and educational series explores the culture and traditions of the North Caucasus Federal District. The event brought together international bloggers with million-strong audiences.

"The uniqueness of the project lies in the fact that the guides to the traditions, culture, and customs of the region are local residents — students. We have never seen such a tandem before, where an experienced blogger interacts on screen with a local student. The project is undoubtedly aimed at breaking stereotypes and showing the true image of Russia’s regions. All the films about each region of the North Caucasus will soon be presented at the National Centre RUSSIA, where anyone will be able to watch them either offline here or online on the project’s social media," said Maria Dudko, Head of the project "The Caucasus Beneath Me".

Each episode of the film focuses on one region of the Caucasus: Stavropol, Chechnya, North Ossetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Ingushetia, and Dagestan. A highlight of the project was the participation of bloggers from different countries. Peruvian Kristal Gresia took part in a national dance in Ingushetia. Frenchwoman Gabrielle Duvoisin baked croissants in Karachay-Cherkessia. 

"Three years ago, when I moved to Russia, I expected to find myself in a cold country with snow and polar bears. But to my surprise, I discovered that the south of the country is in some places warmer than my native France. I was very impressed by the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, where the culture differs so much from the rest of Russia: majestic mountains, national dances, fearless horsemen, delicious croissants... There is so much to discover and explore here!" said Gabrielle Duvoisin.

Million-follower blogger Mikhail Krylov visited the house of poet Lermontov in Stavropol, while American Sasha Jost learned how to make Ossetian pies.

"I was lucky enough to visit North Ossetia, and this region simply won my heart. Not only because of the mountains and Ossetian pies, but also because of the incredibly hospitable and kind people living there. It is one of the warmest and most welcoming regions I have visited in Russia, and I am very happy to have been part of this project and to share it with you. Now I am already planning when I can return there again!" said Sasha Jost. 

Italian blogger and pianist Lorenzo Bagnati was also delighted by the filming process.

"In the Chechen Republic I performed a piece by Tchaikovsky in four hands with a pianist from Grozny, tried myself as a dancer in the Vainakh ensemble, and tasted Chechnya — khingalsh turned out to be even tastier than my native pizza! The Caucasus became part of my soul, where music, people, and traditions sound in one harmonious chord," said Lorenzo Bagnati. 

The participation of bloggers gave the entire narrative of the film a fresh tone and allowed a new perspective on each region.

"Stavropol is an amazing place where Caucasian and Cossack traditions intertwine harmoniously, where every corner breathes history and culture. And the fact that million-follower bloggers have become guides into the world of our region is a landmark event for the development of the region’s tourism potential. It is especially valuable that local students are participating in the project — they are not only telling the story of our land but also becoming ambassadors of its culture. This is a new generation that, through modern media, shows the whole world how beautiful and multifaceted our region is," summarised Andrei Tolbatov, Minister of Tourism and Health Resorts of the Stavropol Region.

Participation in the project "The Caucasus Beneath Me" is an important step in unlocking the tourism potential not only of Stavropol but of the entire North Caucasus, noted Ivan Nifontov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Stavropol Region and Minister of Physical Culture and Sport of the region.

"Our region is unique not only for its rich nature but also for the combination of Caucasian traditions and distinctive Cossack culture, preserving a great history. The way the younger generation of Stavropol residents, together with famous bloggers, reveals its diversity helps create a modern, vibrant, and hospitable image of the region, attracting new visitors and showing Russia from a side unknown to many," added Ivan Nifontov.

The project "The Caucasus Beneath Me" is implemented by the agency for working with bloggers "Bezgranichnye" ("Ones Without Borders") with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives (PFCI). All episodes of the film are available on RUTUBE and VKontakte.