Yelena Yampolskaya: "Russia will have a colour of the year"

Russia will have its own colour of the year. It will be selected as part of the work of the Council at the National Centre RUSSIA, which develops and promotes a new Russian style in public spaces. Adviser to the President of Russia Yelena Yampolskaya announced the forthcoming selection. The colour of the year is scheduled to be unveiled at the end of 2026.

"The colour of the year will offer a fresh perspective on Russia's cultural legacy and the natural riches of its regions. Every shade has its own history, traditions and unique beauty. It is important to bring these meanings together in a single palette that reflects Russia in all its diversity," noted Yelena Yampolskaya, Adviser to the President of Russia and Chair of the Council for the Development and Promotion of a New Russian Style in Public Spaces.

The colour of the year will be a way to express Russia's diversity. The selection process will take into account the country's regional palette and its natural, cultural and artistic characteristics. The colour should reflect the breadth and depth of Russia's vast landscapes and the richness of its regions.

"For the first time, a colour of the year is being selected at state level. It will bring together Russia's national values and reflect the important events of 2027: celebrations, anniversaries and landmark dates in our history and culture," noted Vitaly Stavitsky, President of the Union of Designers of Russia.

The initiative is linked to the development of a National Colour Palette. Work on the palette is being carried out within the Council and aims to identify and systematise colour trends associated with Russian culture and the visual environment.

"We have brought experts together at the National Centre RUSSIA to work jointly on the National Colour Palette. Selecting the colour of the year will be the first step in implementing this initiative," noted Andrei Melentyev, Head of UGVK at the National Centre RUSSIA and Secretary of the Council.

The colour of the year will draw attention to Russia's legacy of colour and contemporary design, while presenting the country's distinctive characteristics through an accessible visual image. The project will serve as a tool for promoting Russian cultural values and architectural and design solutions.

The Council at the National Centre RUSSIA was established pursuant to an instruction from the President of the Russian Federation to develop and promote a new Russian style in public spaces. Its work brings together government representatives, the professional community, businesses and experts to create a contemporary visual environment rooted in cultural legacy, traditional values and society's current needs.