The National Centre RUSSIA congratulates guides on International Tourist Guide Day
To tell the story of the country in a way that makes guests want to travel to a distant region, open a history book, or bring their children and friends on a tour — this is what guides of the National Centre RUSSIA see as their mission today. International Tourist Guide Day is celebrated on 21 February, and for the National Centre RUSSIA this occasion is especially meaningful. A large and close-knit team works here every day, new routes are created, and the "Young Tour Guides School of Russia" continues to develop.
The history of International Tourist Guide Day began in 1985 at the first International Convention of Tourist Guides. At that time, the idea emerged to create an organisation that would unite and support guides from different countries. Two years later, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations was established in Austria, and on 21 February 1990 the federation held Tourist Guide Day for the first time as a professional celebration.
At the National Centre RUSSIA, the role of a guide goes far beyond the familiar image of a "person with a microphone". A guide is also a route author, an educator and a moderator of live dialogue with the audience. They must master their voice, hold the group’s attention, understand the psychology of visitors and explain complex topics with ease, while always relying on accurate facts and verified sources. Both classical professional skills — deep knowledge of history and culture, the ability to work with large groups — and a constant readiness to learn and adapt tours to new formats are highly valued here. More than 60 guides work at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Tours at the National Centre RUSSIA are designed so that guests can experience the country in several dimensions at once. For example, along the "Journey Across Russia" route, visitors can travel from the Far East to the Baltic, discovering the technological, natural and cultural features of the regions, as well as interactive models, mock-ups and multimedia installations.
A special place in the guides’ work is occupied by the exposition "Book of Fairy Tales". Together with a guide, guests enter a treasure library and follow a path filled with adventures and trials. Guides of the National Centre RUSSIA introduce visitors to winter-themed stories from across Russia — from the lace traditions of the Vologda region and the epic heritage of Karelia to the northern legends of Yamal, the myths of Stavropol and the amber imagery of Kaliningrad. The exposition can only be visited as part of an organised group, meaning it is the guide who "brings the space to life" and helps everyone feel part of this remarkable journey.
An important area of work is the "Young Tour Guides School of Russia", which involves more than 100 participants. The project helps children and teenagers try themselves in a professional role, learn how to work with texts and facts, feel confident in front of an audience and, most importantly, speak about their homeland in an engaging and sincere way. Participants study both theory and practice, attend masterclasses, work on stage speech, and then conduct real tours across the expositions of the National Centre RUSSIA under the guidance of mentors.
International Tourist Guide Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the work of those who directly shape guests’ impressions of the National Centre RUSSIA. It is thanks to guides that people want to return again and again — and bring their loved ones with them.
The key features of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area were presented at the National Centre RUSSIA by Governor Dmitry Artyukhov.
The audience programme will include 38 films by well-known Russian and international filmmakers.
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.
