Events digest: weekly highlights at the National Centre RUSSIA

Global Exhibitions Day, a Grand Gastronomic Performance, the All-Russian classical music marathon and other events of the week — in our digest.

June 11. The role of art in times of armed conflict discussed

The Open Dialogue "How Does Art Help to Win?" took place at the National Centre RUSSIA on June 11. The meeting was dedicated to Russia Day and brought together talented performers who inspire and support military personnel in combat zones through their artistic work.

During the discussion, participants explored the significance of art during conflicts and its important role in supporting soldiers and officers. The event also touched upon the vital mission of Soviet musicians during the Great Patriotic War.

The moderator of the event was Dmitry Kukushkin, artist of Mosconcert, Artistic Director of the Lyubov Zhuk Kupina Centre for the Development of Gusli Art, and member of the Culture Brigade.

The speakers included: Dmitry Volkov, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Mari El, Candidate of Art History, artist of Mosconcert and Head of the Kupina gusli ensemble; Yelizaveta Melnichenko, laureate of international and All-Russian competitions, Mosconcert artist as part of the Kupina ensemble, blogger and creator of educational gusli courses; and Irina Sukhanova, Honoured Cultural Figure of the City of Moscow, soloist of Mosconcert, leading actress of the Moscow State Musical Theatre "Na Basmannoy," and veteran of the Special Military Operation.

According to the speakers, art becomes a powerful means of support and unity, helping to raise morale and promote military cohesion.

The Open Dialogue programme included live performances of songs, offering the audience a chance to enjoy the art and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of solidarity and belief in victory.

Global Exhibitions Day celebrated with a wide-ranging programme of events

The two-day programme dedicated to Global Exhibitions Day has come to an end. In 2025, the celebration was held under the slogan "Speaking the Same Language." From June 10 to 11, professionals from the industry gathered at the National Centre RUSSIA to explore expositions as a universal language of communication and a platform for self-expression. They discussed the prospects for the development of the exposition and congress sector and business tourism, and shared experience with aspiring event organisers. Last year, the holiday was celebrated for the first time at the International RUSSIA EXPO.

Sergei Alekseyev, initiator of Global Exhibitions Day, First Vice President of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs, and Vice President of the company ExpoForum-International, noted that the idea of this celebration emerged primarily as a way to counter false narratives about our country and its potential.

"This idea of exchanging accessible and truthful information came about in 2015, when I was elected Honorary President of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. That was what we were working for. And of course, we did it to promote the image of expositions not only among exposition professionals, but also within the business community and government organisations. I am absolutely convinced that expositions are a crucial tool for promoting domestic products both in the domestic and international markets, helping to preserve technological sovereignty and support regional development," said Sergei Alekseyev.

The first day of the Global Exhibitions Day programme at the National Centre RUSSIA was primarily aimed at young professionals and those interested in developing a career in event organisation. Senior experts shared their experience with newcomers, spoke about the knowledge and skills an event organiser should have, and how those qualities can prove useful in everyday life.

The key event of the day was the session "100 Questions to an Adult. The Path of a Professional." Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, spoke about the development stages of the International RUSSIA EXPO and the current areas of focus of the National Centre RUSSIA, and shared insights into how truly historic events in the exposition industry are created.

The second day of the Global Exhibitions Day celebration at the National Centre RUSSIA brought together professionals from Russia’s event industry. Experts shared best practices and approaches that have contributed to the successful organisation of expositions and conferences across various regions.

The central event of the day was the plenary session "Speaking the Same Language," during which participants explored the global mission of the exposition movement in the modern world.

The final event of the programme was the panel discussion "How Can National Centres Be Developed Across Russia’s Regions?" Experts discussed how the regional branches of the National Centre RUSSIA could become drivers of development for both the regions and the country as a whole. The discussion focused not only on practical solutions, but also on the mission of a unified cultural and educational space — fostering pride in both one’s local and national homeland, and transforming expositions into a powerful tool for conveying meaning, values, and national identity.

June 12. Palette of regional flavours appreciated by guests of the Gastronomic Rows on Russia Day

A grand gastronomic showcase marking Russia Day took place on June 12 at the Gastronomic Rows of the National Centre RUSSIA. The festival of national flavours brought together top culinary masters from across the country — from the Far East to the Golden Ring of Russia.

Chefs and entrepreneurs — creators of regional gastro-tourism projects — held workshops for guests of the Gastronomic Rows at the National Centre RUSSIA, where they shared their secrets of preparation and offered visitors a chance to taste their unique dishes.

"Traditionally we celebrate Russia Day as one big multinational culinary family. Today, more than 1,000 portions of traditional dishes from Russian cuisine and the cuisines of the peoples of our country were served, as well as a three-metre-long, 40-kilogram kulebyaka, all prepared for the guests of the celebration at the Gastronomic Rows of the National Centre RUSSIA. Many of our annual celebrations will become traditions within the space of our National Centre — first and foremost, Russia Day and National Unity Day — days of pride in our rich cultural, historical, and, of course, gastronomic legacy," said Yekaterina Shapovalova, author of the gastronomic programmes.

The parade of regional flavours began with a family workshop by the Bokov culinary dynasty from the village of Koryaki in Kamchatka. They prepared telnoye made with sockeye salmon, filled with mashed potato and served with a pink salmon roe sauce. The team behind Alexei Shevtsov’s projects "Fish Corner" and "Hidden Russia" presented Plyos uteshki pies. Chef of the Chechen cuisine project "DAAR," Zulkan Khakimova from the Chechen Republic, introduced guests to the traditional dish zhizhig-galnash. A dish of the indigenous Buryat people — buuz — was presented by the art director of the Buryat cuisine restaurant "Orda," Angarag Chagdorov, together with his mother and project chef Tuyana Sodnomova. Danila Kozlov, founder of the chain of shops and producers of northern fish delicacies "Alphabet of the North," spoke about a signature dish of the peoples of the Far North — stroganina made from Arctic char. A unique recipe for Don kurnik (a layered chicken pie) was revealed by the author of the project and founder of the "Tsar Kurnik" brand from Rostov-on-Don, Oleg Kuchkov.

The culmination of the Russia Day celebration was the presentation of a symbol of Russian culinary art — kulebyaka. The festive dish was created by chef Mikhail Gavrilov of the ethno-cultural project "To Eat in Karelia" and chef Andrei Vinogradov of the "North" corner at the Gastronomic Rows and the mobile Arctic kitchen "Arctic Moon." The three-metre-long, 40-kilogram traditional kulebyaka was filled with cod from Belgorod, trout from Karelia, rice, mushrooms, onions, and boiled egg.

Guests of the National Centre RUSSIA joined the nationwide classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia"

The National Centre RUSSIA became one of the main venues for the nationwide classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia" on Russia Day. Concerts were held simultaneously in 12 regions across the country, showcasing cultural unity. Classical music resounding throughout the nation became a living embodiment of national pride and the continuity of musical traditions.

Guests of the National Centre RUSSIA heard the immortal works of great Russian composers. The State Symphony Orchestra "New Russia," conducted by People's Artist of the USSR Yuri Bashmet, performed compositions by Mikhail Glinka, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alexander Borodin, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich.

"Our country is incredibly rich in classical heritage. We have Tchaikovsky, Pushkin, Tolstoy, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich and Prokofiev. The very word 'Russia' unites our history. It is a celebration of the past, present and future of our country. Classical music is eternal, just like the achievements of our scientists, doctors, and musicians. Most importantly, we love our Motherland in all its diversity. Russia Day is a great holiday!" emphasised Yuri Bashmet.

The programme also featured world-renowned opera singer and Honoured Artist of Russia Ildar Abdrazakov, as well as the State Academic Choir of Russia named after Alexander Yurlov, conducted by People's Artist of Russia Gennady Dmitryak.

The concert opened with a performance of the State Anthem of the Russian Federation, accompanied by multimedia screens displaying footage from various regions of the country that took part in the nationwide classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia."

The nationwide classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia" is held with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The organisers are the ANO "Creative Economy" and the ANO "Cantata," with Lira agency acting as the marathon’s operator.