Highlights of Kaliningrad region days at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The thematic regional week of the Kaliningrad region has concluded at the National Centre RUSSIA. The programme included business, cultural and educational events and introduced visitors to the westernmost region of the country and its rich potential. See the highlights in our digest.

Meeting with the Governor of the Kaliningrad Region

As part of the "Region-2030. Kaliningrad Region" project, the Governor of the Kaliningrad Region, Alexei Besprozvannykh, outlined five development priorities for the region. The first is self-sufficiency security: the production of essential goods and the development of agriculture and industry. The second is the economy, including growth in gross regional product and incomes, which makes it possible to finance the social sector. The third is family and quality of life: support for healthcare, education and other social areas. The fourth is the creation of a comfortable living environment through the development of housing and utilities infrastructure. The fifth is balanced regional development, ensuring that all municipalities develop evenly and residents feel comfortable in every part of the region.

The Governor focused in greater detail on issues of economic development. In particular, he spoke about industry and manufacturing as key drivers of economic growth. According to the head of the region, efforts should be made to introduce new products that enable industrial enterprises to develop, rather than waiting for sanctions to be lifted.

"In manufacturing and in industry as a whole, we set ourselves the goal of reaching the indicators achieved last year and this year. Based on the results of the past eleven months, overall growth amounted to 10.3 percent, which places us sixth among Russian regions. Our number one task is not only to maintain the level achieved, but also to increase the pace of production. Why are industry and manufacturing so important for us? Because they are among the key drivers of the regional economy. When we faced sanctions-related restrictions, enterprises found various solutions to continue developing their production. We must not stop and wait for sanctions to be lifted. We are creating new products and new support programmes that enable our industrial enterprises to grow," Alexei Besprozvannykh explained.

The Governor also spoke separately about the potential construction of a branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in Kaliningrad. The site of the former House of Soviets square in the regional capital is one of the most significant and promising locations. Regional authorities are discussing the future of this area and considering concepts for its development. One of the key proposals is the creation of a large public space, a park with the working title "Russia".

"In this park, we propose creating a branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in the Kaliningrad region. This could become a very strong point of attraction, a place where decisions will truly be made that will contribute to the development of our region," Alexei Besprozvannykh said.

Meeting with an Honorary Citizen of Kaliningrad

The cultural programme of the Kaliningrad Region Days included a meeting with an Honorary Citizen of Kaliningrad, writer, playwright and director Yevgeny Grishkovets. He led a virtual tour of his favourite city and shared the story of his move there as well as personal observations. The writer described Kaliningrad as "a city where an endlessly long spring turns into an endlessly beautiful autumn". According to him, however, the city’s main charm lies in its atmosphere and its residents.

"I really love welcoming friends to Kaliningrad, who are now coming in a continuous stream, and I still love it very much, because I enjoy showing how I live and I enjoy showing off. And Kaliningrad makes it very easy to show off. It is a city that is easy to love without any reservations. It is beautiful, friendly, elegant and delicate. There is no need to explain anything, it is simply that way. I do not know a greener city than Kaliningrad. Nowhere in the world is there such a number of parks and pedestrian routes. I enjoy walking here so much, and I never wear headphones in Kaliningrad, because I enjoy listening to how this city sounds," Yevgeny Grishkovets admitted.

A contest of Russian tradition and feminine beauty

As part of the regional week, the contest titled "A Braid to the Baltic" was held. Female visitors to the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA measured the length of their braids. The contest followed strict rules: hair was braided into a classic three-strand braid, secured at the base, and then measured using a special ruler, an amber "braid measurer", from the start of the braid to the tip. A total of 76 participants of different ages took part in the contest. The winner was Viktoriya Shchabelskaya, whose braid reached a length of 120 centimetres. The main prize, a holiday voucher to the famous Curonian Spit, was presented to the winner by the Governor of the Kaliningrad Region, Alexei Besprozvannykh.

"I have been growing my hair for more than 23 years, because it is a tribute to family traditions. My mother had a long braid, and so did my grandmother. That inspired me greatly, so I also honour these traditions. I really love my hair. For me, a long braid is not about length, it is about the embodiment of feminine strength, patience and beauty, and, of course, about a connection with generations," Viktoriya Shchabelskaya noted.

Presentation of a geographical fairy tale

As part of the educational programme of the regional week, a presentation was held for a children’s book and animated film titled "The Adventures of Nedo the Mouse in Kaliningrad, or the Mouse King’s Quest". The children’s geographical fairy tale tells the story of the region’s key landmarks. According to the Minister for Culture and Tourism of the Kaliningrad Region, Andrei Yermak, Russia’s westernmost region is traditionally visited by large numbers of tourists. Many of them are children, who needed to be engaged through a fairy-tale character and his story.

This is the first local history and educational animated film about the region, aimed at sparking children’s interest in its history. After the presentation, children received a copy of the book as a gift and, together with their parents, went on a tour of the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition.

The Kaliningrad Region Days were held at the National Centre RUSSIA from 12 to 18 January.