Ethno-folk show "Each of Us" and showcase of national fashion were held at the National Centre RUSSIA during "Peoples of Russia" Week

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A cultural programme was held on 7 November at the National Centre RUSSIA as part of Youth Day at International Week "Peoples of Russia". Guests saw a fashion show featuring collections by designers from Russian regions and the United Arab Emirates, and the ethno-folk show "Each of Us" by the Tavrida art cluster. Through music, dance and contemporary fashion, the participants explored the cultures and traditions of the peoples of Russia and showed how young creatives are carrying their national legacy forward.

The fashion show brought together designers from Russia and the UAE. Collections were presented by designers from the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic of Ingushetia, the Nizhny Novgorod and Ivanovo Regions, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area and the United Arab Emirates. The looks reflected the cultural codes of the peoples of Russia and the Middle East through traditional ornamentation, historical silhouettes and embroidery and weaving techniques that the designers used to create contemporary clothing.

"Traditional dress is one way people express their culture, with history and traditions preserved in every motif, colour and pattern. In the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, we showcased the richness of these cultures through 100 looks representing nations who live in our country, so that young people could discover Russian and international designers who preserve culture and pass it on to younger generations through their creative work," said Luiza Lyanova, an organiser of Youth Day at International Week "Peoples of Russia" and a representative of Rosmolodyozh.  

Several brands and creative associations represented the Republic of Tatarstan. The Union of Designers of the Republic of Tatarstan presented "City of Craftspeople", a collaborative collection bringing together work by young creatives from the region. Lilia Garayeva's brand "Urmanay" showcased pieces with original prints and handmade jewellery. Elara Shaykha's Kazan-based brand BURO BANU presented a contemporary take on traditional quilting, appliqué and garment cuts. The show also featured Lilia Galimullina's brand Lusi, which draws on Tatar mythology and historical crafts, and Albina Gilyazova's QAYNA, whose collections combine traditional motifs with architectural silhouettes and striking details.

The art studio "FYara" from the Republic of Ingushetia presented "Dzurdzuki", a collection inspired by medieval dress and the historical legacy of the Ingush people. The Ivanovo Region brand "Shuyskiye Sitsy" presented "Second Look", a collection developed with the Institute of Arts at A. N. Kosygin Russian State University. The designers combined elements of traditional Russian dress with contemporary silhouettes and layering.

Designer Nadya Andrianova's Nizhny Novgorod brand KICHKA presented its "Amulet" collection. For the collection, craftspeople at the "Lnitsa" factory wove the fabrics by hand on nineteenth-century looms. Irina Yun, a designer from Salekhard, presented "Cultural Code: Breath of Yamal", a collection reflecting traditional Nenets clothing, the landscapes of the Far North and the culture of the region's Indigenous peoples.

"I make clothes with something underneath, a lining in both senses. We pay particular attention to the inside of each garment and how it is finished. For me, that hidden layer also means making things with meaning and with soul. We present pieces that carry the values of generations and a sense of connection to our roots. It's very important that the clothes we wear reflect the traditions of our people," said Nadezhda Andrianova from Nizhny Novgorod, founder of KÌCHKA.

The international part of the show was presented by MADINAH MOON from the United Arab Emirates. In its winter collection, the designers combined silk, velvet and elements of Eastern aesthetics with contemporary fashion trends. Each piece was made as a one-off.

"Our cultural code lives in how we work with fabric and practise our craft, in a seam, a texture, a gold thread, a stone. We bring the knowledge passed down by local craftspeople together with techniques from around the world to create a contemporary piece. Traditional style gives identity a contemporary expression, reveals the beauty of modesty and versatility, and gives women the freedom to change their look throughout the day. We presented a reversible khala robe that reflects the many facets of womanhood. It's versatile, it's for everyday wear, and it shows that modesty can be fashionable," said Madina Amirova from the UAE, founder of MADINAH MOON.

For designers, traditional crafts, national dress and historical motifs provide the basis for original collections. For audiences, they offer a way to discover the cultures of different peoples through contemporary art forms.

Youth Day culminated in the ethno-folk show "Each of Us", produced by the Tavrida art cluster team. The show premiered in September at the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg. In Moscow, audiences once again saw a musical journey on a grand scale, in which folk motifs, contemporary compositions and dance performances came together in a single story about love and unity.

The show unfolds in three acts, each revealing a different facet of love. The first focuses on family, home, friendship and loved ones. The second explores love for the Motherland, one's own culture and traditions. In the third act, love is presented as a creative force that brings together people of different nationalities, languages and cultures. 

The production brought together the musical traditions of different peoples and gave familiar folk songs a contemporary sound. One such performance was a new interpretation of "My Darling" by the music project "Cossacks Make Hits":

"In our version, 'My Darling' sounded completely different, much more dramatic and emotional than the original. We wanted to bring out new feelings in a familiar song, give it more depth and show how a contemporary sound and Cossack vocals can reveal a new side to a well-known piece," said the performers from the music project. "Every people in Russia has its own traditions, history and music. And that diversity is precisely what makes our culture so rich. For us, unity means respecting and preserving our roots while listening to and understanding one another. Music helps bring people together without needing many words."

The Buryat Ethnocultural Centre "Nomin" performed "Khii Morid", a title that translates as "Wind Horses". The musicians noted that singing in their native language helps them stay connected to their land, culture and ancestors.

"In a world where globalisation is gradually eroding languages and traditions, this is the thread that helps us hold on to our national identity. Russia is the largest country in the world, and its strength lies in the diversity of its peoples, each with its own distinct identity. That is why it is so important to protect each people's culture. It is impossible to imagine our country enduring without unity among its peoples. Our Buryat culture is fascinating for its unique traditions, customs and musical culture. Alongside the cultures of other peoples, it forms part of the beautiful mosaic of our country's shared culture," said the musicians.

The large-scale show brought well-known artists, performing groups and young performers together on one stage. The line-up also included the Belarusian State Ensemble "Pesnyary", Tatar singer Dyshat, the music group "Lavu", Honoured Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan and Russia's representative at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest Dina Garipova, People's Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan and finalist in the first season of "The Voice" Elmira Kalimullina, folk singer Viktoria Bars, Blizkey, whose style blends pop, hip-hop and folk influences, and South African singer Lizwi.

Lizwi's performance was one of the most talked-about acts after the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg. Her set paired Amathole with a medley of Russian folk songs, creating an unusual dialogue between two musical cultures.

"I didn't expect the performance to be on such a scale or to get so much feedback on social media. It was a very valuable experience for me as an artist, and such an amazing feeling!" said the singer. "I think music is a universal language that everyone understands. It carries emotion and spirituality. At its heart, there's always a shared language of feeling. That's exactly why collaborations like this work so well."

The programme also featured Tavrida art cluster residents Varya Sudina, DJ Gress (the BELOBOKA project), Tolko Nastya, "Polyn Folk" and accordionist Klim Andreyev, as well as the contemporary ethnic dance studio BUIN KHAN, the Moscow folk song ensemble "Matveyevskiye Babulki", ballet dancers from the Tavrida art cluster, ballerina Yulia Milkina and violinist Amiliya Serebryakova.

One highlight was a joint performance by Varya Sudina, Klim Andreyev, "Matveyevskiye Babulki" and DJ Gress. The artists gave "Oh, Frost, Frost" and "Felt Boots" a contemporary interpretation, incorporating lines in Buryat, Evenki, Ossetian and Tatar.

The ethno-folk show "Each of Us" concluded the Youth Day programme at International Week "Peoples of Russia". In all, the events at the National Centre RUSSIA brought together around 3,000 young people.

The Youth Day programme also reached regions across the country. The regional programme had three strands, "Days of Joint Action", "National Games" and "Living Chronicle", with museums, theatres, cultural centres and youth centres across the country opening their doors to local residents. The online flash mob #WeAreRussia brought audiences together on VKontakte and MAX, where families from across the country shared stories about themselves and their traditions.

International Week is held annually in accordance with Presidential Executive Order No. 382 of 1 June 2026, which declared 2026 the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Its central theme is "Solidarity Among States Through the Unity of Peoples and Traditional Values". The Security Council Staff of the Russian Federation coordinates the events of International Week. The Roscongress Foundation is the operator. Youth Day at International Week "Peoples of Russia" is organised by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh).