Masterclasses by the National Centre RUSSIA at International Festival of Youth — 2026: festival guests discover traditional crafts
One of the most popular areas of the National Centre RUSSIA stand at the International Festival of Youth 2026 (IFY-2026) in Yekaterinburg is the workshop featuring live demonstrations by skilled craftspeople. Masters from different regions of the country showcase traditional techniques, share their history and symbolism, and answer visitors' questions. Guests can take a close look at the materials and tools, watch the process of creating traditional items and immerse themselves in the culture of traditional handicrafts.
Craftswoman Oksana Ponomareva from the Sverdlovsk Region introduces visitors to the Ural brush painting technique on wood. Known for its vivid colours, expressive details and nature-inspired imagery, the technique is one of the distinctive traditions of the Urals. During her demonstration, Oksana paints wooden horses — similar items are also available at the Department Store RUSSIA.
The main secret of the technique is the double brushstroke: coloured paint and white pigment are applied to the brush at the same time, creating a gentle transition between shades, a sense of volume and a distinctive "airy" pattern. Another technique, known as "razzhivka", adds definition to the details with dark brushstrokes that emphasise the contours. Floral motifs and birds are among the most common elements in Ural painting. Visitors can watch the craftswoman at work and see how a pattern takes shape on a wooden item.
A demonstration masterclass, "Pomor Kozulya", by Irina Ilyina from the Murmansk Region introduces visitors to the tradition of making kozuli of the Tersky Coast, as well as their imagery, symbolism and significance in Pomor culture.
Kozuli are ceremonial biscuits made from rye dough that were traditionally prepared in the Russian North for Christmas and other holidays. Each figure has its own meaning: deer, horses, birds and human figures symbolise wishes for goodness, health and prosperity. During the demonstration, visitors learn about traditional kozuli shapes, watch the craftswoman at work and discover the world of Pomor culture.
"Coming to the International Festival of Youth with our distinctive craft is a great opportunity to show how the Pomors lived in the past, so that the fine thread connecting us then and now does not break. The more young people learn about Pomor kozuli and remember them, the longer this craft will live on," Irina Ilyina said.
Anna Korchyomkina from the Kirov Region presents Dymkovo toys — one of Russia's best-known traditional crafts, with a history spanning more than four centuries. The toys are distinguished by their bright colours, simple geometric patterns and distinctive Dymkovo character — festive and joyful.
During the demonstration, the craftswoman talks about the history of the craft and its painting techniques, shows the different stages of working with the toy and explains the features of traditional patterns. International visitors are particularly interested in Dymkovo painting and can, if they wish, try applying individual elements of the pattern under the craftswoman's guidance. This hands-on experience helps them appreciate the character of the craft and better understand its artistic language.
Sister Vera (Kazarina) presented the unique gold embroidery technique of the Nikolo-Solbinsky Convent in the Yaroslavl Region. Visitors learn the basics of goldwork embroidery and pearl embroidery over a foundation known as bel, an ancient technique used to decorate traditional Russian headdresses, as well as the principles behind traditional ornamental compositions for kokoshniks.
"Pearl embroidery over bel is an ancient monastic craft for making headdresses for laypeople. Above all, it is intended to emphasise the beauty of Russian women and the richness of our country. The patterns are mainly floral. In this case, it is a modern design rooted in ancient Russian traditions, combining symbols of fertility and the beauty of God's creation. Kokoshniks are now extremely popular, and even at secular weddings, brides wear this type of headdress. Our convent has a college where students are taught decorative and applied arts and traditional crafts, as well as machine and hand embroidery. So I work with young people all the time and teach girls this ancient art," Sister Vera (Kazarina) said.
One of the youngest crafts presented at the National Centre RUSSIA stand is Ordynskaya wood painting from the Novosibirsk Region. Its creator, artist and teacher, Nina Mukhlynina, explained that the patterns draw on the flora and fauna of the Karakan Pine Forest, as well as the colours of the Russian tricolour and the coat of arms of the Ordynsky District.
The craft takes its name from the Orda River, which flows through the region. The painting is characterised by dots, drops and other simple elements set against a rich blue background created by mixing ultramarine and white pigment. During the demonstration, the guests are shown how compositions are created on chopping boards, panels and other wooden blanks. Visitors can try creating individual elements of the painting and learn about the techniques behind this young Siberian craft.
The demonstration masterclasses at the National Centre RUSSIA stand workshop allow visitors to see traditional crafts being practised live, talk to the masters and experience the connection between the cultural legacy of Russia's regions and contemporary life. Items created during the demonstrations remain with the craftspeople or are displayed at the exposition and in the Department Store RUSSIA.
The National Centre RUSSIA stand, together with the flagship Department Store project of the Centre, is operating at the International Festival of Youth 2026 in Yekaterinburg from 13 to 16 September in the "Cultural Code" thematic space. It features products and crafts from different regions of the country, including sweets, tea, cosmetics, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and traditional handicrafts. Alongside the retail area, the stand features the "Nevalyashki" ("Roly-Poly Toys") art installation, and holds demonstration masterclasses showcasing the traditional crafts of the peoples of Russia.
