Voices of the National Centre: the best guides honoured at the National Centre RUSSIA
On the eve of International Tourist Guide Day, celebrated on 21 February, the best guides and young tour guides were honoured at the National Centre RUSSIA. Letters of appreciation for professionalism, dedication to the profession and contribution to the development of cultural and educational activities were presented to 38 people. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests and representatives of government bodies and cultural institutions.
The best guides in the category "For excellence in interpretation and the highest level of professionalism in guiding" were honoured by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova. Letters of appreciation were awarded to Yekaterina Karaganova-Miloslavskaya, Dmitry Matveyev, Olga Mochalova, Yelena Novolokina and Maria Sorokina.
"Working as a guide requires exceptional skill: every audience is unique, and it is important to find the right approach, to spark interest, especially among young people. I would like to single out those who work in foreign languages — this is a special competence that requires speed, precision and talent. Your work is about preserving traditions, passing on knowledge and igniting the spark of curiosity. Thank you for the heart you put into your profession and for your invaluable contribution to education!" noted Olga Petrova.
Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova emphasised the importance of the guides’ work and their role in shaping cultural, historical and value-based perceptions of modern Russia.
"Our joint work with guides began at the International RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH. We were looking for true professionals who could not only talk about our country, but also inspire an even stronger sense of pride in it during tours. Many of you have gone this whole journey with us and continued working at the National Centre RUSSIA. You tell the story of our country in such a way that people fall in love with it even more, helping them feel its strength and beauty. Thanks to you, guests return to us again and again," said Natalia Virtuozova.
For outstanding professionalism in guiding, Natalia Virtuozova presented awards in the category "Best guide of 2025" to David Avetisyan, Yevgeny Artemenkov, Natalia Didenko, Natalia Petrova and Mikhail Sharayev.
Olga Dodonova, Stefania Romanova and Anna Shulga received letters of appreciation in the category "Master of international visits: the best in ‘protocol work’" from the Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery Olga Galaktionova.
"Guides play a vital role in education: it is your engaging storytelling that can awaken people’s love for history, art and culture. Special admiration is deserved by those who work with temporary exhibitions — this requires encyclopaedic knowledge, flexibility and the talent to captivate very different audiences. Record attendance during the New Year holidays is direct proof of your professionalism and dedication. Thank you for your patience, warmth and ability to bring joy through communication despite any challenges. Your work is an invaluable contribution to education and the preservation of cultural heritage!" said Olga Galaktionova.
Special attention at the celebration was given to students of the "Young Tour Guides School of Russia" — an original project of the National Centre RUSSIA. Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina highlighted the importance of such educational initiatives.
"The 'Young Tour Guides School' project continues its work at the National Centre RUSSIA. We already have more than one hundred young people who have not only learned facts about Russia, but share them with guests every day — sincerely and warmly. I remember how you conducted your first tours for distinguished guests — and did not lose your composure, but conveyed all your enthusiasm and love for the Motherland. That is the essence of the profession: a guide does not simply speak — they transmit emotions, impressions, and ignite interest. In your work, you must be ready to answer any question — it is a serious responsibility and a major challenge. And you cope with it brilliantly! May this experience become an important step in your life. I very much hope that you will link your future with the profession of guide, and we will certainly help you with this!" said Anastasia Zvyagina.
For a special contribution to the formation and implementation of the excursion programme of the National Centre RUSSIA and for active participation in the 'Young Tour Guides School of Russia ' project, young participants Anastasia Zolina, Alexander Yevstigneyev, Alyona Zak, Maria Stepanova and Arina Kaplina were awarded letters of appreciation.
Anastasia Zvyagina also presented awards to the best mentors of the young tour guides — Irina Alekseyeva, Nikita Belyaev, Svetlana Sorokina and Dmitry Tyrkov.
During the celebration, the contribution of guides to the upbringing and education of the younger generation was recognised. Director of the Department for External Communications and Executive Office of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation Irina Shilkina presented awards in the category 'Master of children 's tours' to Galina Baryshnikova, Igor Vaskov, Anna Zolina, Marianna Sizova, Ivan Tyunin and Yelena Usova.
"International Tourist Guide Day is a celebration of those who open up the world of education, culture and history to us. I would especially like to thank the masters of children’s tours: you know how to speak the same language as young people, helping talented children to learn more and gain new opportunities. Upbringing is not only about school, but also about family, traditions, values, travel, and visits to museums and exhibitions. Your work is an important part of this great journey. Thank you for your contribution to the future of our children and to the future of Russia," Irina Shilkina addressed the guides.
The tour routes of the National Centre RUSSIA contribute to the development of tourism in the capital. The external tour of Moscow, which the National Centre RUSSIA organises and conducts for Muscovites and guests of the capital, is particularly popular. Head of the Tourism Directorate of the Moscow City Tourism Committee Inessa Grig presented awards for outstanding contribution to the development of tourism in the capital to Natalia Zamyatina, Oksana Kuydina, Tatyana Lazareva, Dmitry Lesnykh and Oksana Moroz.
"Moscow is becoming increasingly attractive and comfortable not only for residents of the city, but also for tourists from different countries. According to the results of 2025, the capital welcomed 26.5 million tourists, and this record figure is possible only thanks to the joint and effective work of the entire tourism industry. Guides make a significant contribution to promoting the city’s tourism potential. They are the ones who meet our tourists, give them new emotions and impressions, and tell them about the sights and history of the city. The guides of the National Centre RUSSIA also conduct unique tours for our guests. I wish you inspiration, the creation of new tour routes and, of course, grateful visitors," Inessa Grig addressed the award recipients.
One of the categories was dedicated to those responsible for organising the key processes that ensure the effective operation of the tour division. First Deputy Director General of VDNH Yelena Zhuk presented awards in the category 'Standard of hospitality: best in the administration of tour programmes' to Mikhail Denisov, Yekaterina Lobkovskaya, David Rodin, Vsevolod Sinitsyn and Yelizaveta Sypacheva.
"They say there is no second chance to make a first impression, and in this sense a tour guide is always that first impression for our guests. One can be an engaging storyteller but not have sufficiently deep command of the material. One can be a prominent researcher but not perform as vividly in public. A tour guide, however, is the museum and educational profession that must combine both. And today, recalling how the International RUSSIA EXPO began at the Exposition of Achievements of the National Economy, I can say that in many ways it was thanks to the professionalism, involvement, drive and enthusiasm of our guides that even our boldest plans and expectations were met — and exceeded," said Yelena Zhuk.
Every day, around 1,500 people take part in the tour programme of the National Centre RUSSIA. In 2025, more than 22,000 tours were conducted across the National Centre RUSSIA spaces.
The "Young Tour Guides School of Russia" project is aimed at career guidance for schoolchildren and helps them master the knowledge and skills required for guiding. Under the supervision of experienced mentors, children learn the basics of stage speech, how to work with information and create engaging routes, and also gain the opportunity to conduct real tours within the exhibition spaces of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Event photobank
The war correspondent also shared key principles of professional discipline with the young journalists.
A meeting of the Tourism Council under the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Siberian Federal District was held at the National Centre RUSSIA in Krasnoyarsk.
Authentic treasures from leading museums and archives across the country can be seen at the exposition "Geography Lessons".
