The National Centre RUSSIA in faces: lead tour guide Mikhail Sharayev

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Mikhail Sharayev's journey took him from a novice guide in Siberia to the lead tour guide at the National Centre RUSSIA. On March 26, he was among those who led a tour for the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, at the "Journey Across Russia" exposition in the National Centre RUSSIA.

One of the turning points in Mikhail’s career was a phone call offering him a position as a tour guide at the International RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH in Moscow — a call he nearly missed.

"My journey as a tour guide began with my studies at Tomsk State University in the field of Physical Education and Tourism. In my third year, I was invited to participate in the educational project Master Camp: Tour Guides. We gathered in Saransk for training. By that time, I had already won various stages of WorldSkills Russia in the Tour Service Organization category," says Mikhail Sharayev.

Mikhail has been working at the National Centre RUSSIA since its opening. He conducts internal tours of the exposition complex and outdoor walks around Moscow. 

"My favorite tour is 'Journey Across Russia'; this exposition opened in early March. We present the achievements of entire districts. When we talk about the country's and districts' achievements during the tours, it evokes genuine patriotism, and people understand why they can love their country. Adults and children realize that our country has many accomplishments, that we are moving forward, and that we have much to be proud of," the tour guide emphasized.

In addition, the guide shares his knowledge with students of the School of Young Tour Guides. The leading tour guide believes that children, during excursions, help their peers understand how rich and beautiful Russia is even better than adults do. At the School of Young Tour Guides, future guides learn the basics of excursion work, the history of excursions, how to hold the group's attention, verify facts for accuracy, create an excursion passport, and even work with gestures and facial expressions.

"I really enjoy passing on knowledge about excursion work to younger generations. The kids join our project at the National Centre RUSSIA, the School of Young Tour Guides, where we teach them the basics of the profession. And after three months, by the time they graduate, they can conduct tours entirely on their own, which makes me very proud," said Mikhail Sharayev.

Mikhail Sharaev admitted that the most exciting journey across Russia is happening to him right now — since he moved from Tomsk to Moscow. The tour guide does not forget about his homeland and tells visitors of the National Centre RUSSIA about the Vasyugan Swamps, Tomsk wooden architecture, and the Siberian science city.