Events digest: weekly highlights from the National Centre RUSSIA

The stand of the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA at the INNOPROM 2025 International Industrial Exposition and the II All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts" — in our digest of the past week.

The stand of the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA at the INNOPROM 2025 International Industrial Exposition

For the first time, the National Centre RUSSIA took part in the INNOPROM 2025 International Industrial Exposition. The Department Store stand of the National Centre RUSSIA showcased unique products from over 100 Russian manufacturers representing 46 regions. The exposition was divided into four thematic categories: "Groceries" with gastronomic brands, "Accessories" with designer jewellery, "Folk Crafts and Trades" with traditionally painted items, and "Cosmetics" featuring natural products made using historical recipes.

Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin began his visit to INNOPROM 2025 with the Department Store stand of the National Centre RUSSIA and gave it high praise. Accompanied by the heads of foreign delegations, he explored the exposition dedicated to Russian folk crafts and modern production technologies.

Several sessions organised by the National Centre RUSSIA were held as part of INNOPROM 2025’s business programme, during which experts shared their experience in building and developing brands. 

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

One of the speakers was Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.

"The Department Store creates a special space where everyone can find something for themselves and their home. Our stand, decorated with the traditional lemekh symbolising courage, conveys the idea of the family hearth kept by a woman. Here we have brought together the best examples of tableware, textiles, and household goods from across Russia. We are breaking the stereotype of supposed backwardness: our products are of the highest quality — and we are proud to present them at platforms like this one," noted Natalia Virtuozova.

During the visit of the official delegation of INNOPROM 2025’s partner country — Saudi Arabia — to the Department Store stand of the National Centre RUSSIA, the distinguished guests invited Natalia Virtuozova to showcase Russian products at INNOPROM 2026 in Riyadh.

II All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts"

From July 8 to 10, the II All-Russian Wedding Festival took place at the National Centre RUSSIA. As part of the celebration, over 200 couples were officially married during ceremonial wedding events.

Couples came from various regions of the country: Saint Petersburg and Sevastopol, Kamchatka, Perm, and Khabarovsk regions, the Republics of Karelia, Sakha (Yakutia), Tatarstan, and Udmurtia, as well as Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kursk, Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod, Tomsk regions and many others.

Before the mass wedding ceremonies, the couples enjoyed a romantic yacht cruise along the Moskva River, featuring a sightseeing tour of the capital's landmarks. This gave many couples, who were visiting Moscow for the first time, a chance to get to know the city better. The future newlyweds also took part in a festive procession along the picturesque embankment, joined not only by guests and loved ones, but also by circus performers and drummers. 

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

A musical performance titled "I Love You Always," dedicated to one of the most iconic couples in Soviet music — Aleksandra Pakhmutova and Nikolai Dobronravov — served as a symbolic blessing for the newlyweds. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin congratulated the newly married couples on this significant occasion.

"The festival is being held for the second time, and during this period it has gained wide popularity and formed its own traditions. One of the most touching is the solemn wedding ceremony. I wish the families who are just beginning their journey to always preserve sincere feelings — mutual understanding, respect, and trust, as well as the values passed down to us by our ancestors: reverence for elders, care for children, and the sanctity of motherhood. I warmly congratulate you on this celebration — the Day of Family, Love, and Fidelity! I sincerely wish the newlyweds happiness, good health, and prosperity," Vladimir Putin said in his address to the festival participants.

Throughout the second and third days of the festival, a cultural and educational programme took place across various venues. It included several thematic public talks: "History of the emergence of the symbol of love and fidelity — wedding rings. The art of wedding jewellery in Russia," "Retrospective. Russian weddings: from origins to the present," "Raising the future: how to manage time and foster discipline in the digital age," and "How to build strong and lasting partnerships."

In addition, festival participants enjoyed gastronomic presentations with tastings of wedding dishes from across the country, workshops on creating traditional family charms, concerts by pop artists, a wedding costume exposition, and much more.

The festival concluded with a closing ceremony, during which the brightest couples were announced in several categories. All winners received commemorative gifts and travel vouchers to some of the most picturesque parts of Russia. The event partner also presented the newlyweds with engraved wedding rings.

Also last week, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation Sergei Kiriyenko and Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin unveiled the model of the new building of the National Centre RUSSIA. The complex will be constructed on the grounds of the Expocentre on the Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment. 

The total area of the multifunctional exposition space will be approximately 205,000 square metres. It will include exposition halls, a concert venue with a transformable stage and seating, a media centre, and a youth creative cluster. In addition, a congress centre, business communication and networking spaces, as well as gastronomic areas, are planned. Visitors can view the design of the future building at the exposition in the National Centre RUSSIA.