Folk arts and crafts, a musical salon and a unity round dance: how the National Centre RUSSIA delighted festival guests in Turkmenistan
On 8 October, the National Centre RUSSIA presented a vibrant
and extensive cultural programme at the Festival of National Cuisines of the
CIS Member States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan.
The leaders of the countries participating in the meeting of the Council of
Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States, members of the
Russian delegation — the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation,
Alexei Overchuk, and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive
Office of Russia, Maxim Oreshkin — as well as festival guests of different ages
and nationalities explored the macrame-inspired space and the rich cultural
programme presented by the National Centre RUSSIA at the festival. The Director
General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova, told the
distinguished guests about the concept and profound meaning behind the Centre's
stand.
"The National Centre RUSSIA represents the immense cultural wealth of our
country. It is expressed through folk arts, crafts and music and, of course,
embodied by our unique people. Craftswomen have travelled here from different
parts of our country to preserve unique crafts passed down over many centuries
— preserving them, above all, with their hearts and their love for the
Motherland. Our friendly countries are home to many nationalities and peoples.
We follow different faiths and are all so different, yet we are united in this
diversity," Natalia Virtuozova said.
The "Musical Salon of Russia" programme highlighted friendship and
mutual respect between the peoples of different countries. Throughout the day,
the artists of the Kupina ensemble entertained guests with works from the
Russian and Turkmen musical traditions, creating a distinctive international
dialogue between cultures through music.
"We are delighted that our group, the Kupina gusli ensemble, is
representing the National Centre RUSSIA at this wonderful festival today. We
have an international repertoire: we are performing Russian music, including
both folk pieces and original works inspired by folk traditions. We also
decided to include works from the host country in our programme and learnt
several Turkmen melodies, which we will be delighted to perform today,"
the head of the ensemble, Dmitry Volkov, said.
Visitors to the space were able to become more than spectators and take part in
the National Centre RUSSIA activities themselves. The programme culminated in a
unity flash mob that brought together children and adults from different
countries in a shared khorovod (round dance), where there is neither a first
nor a last and everyone is equal. This simple movement carries a special
meaning: by joining hands, different peoples, languages and traditions can
become truly close.
Throughout the festival, craftswomen from the Kirov, Nizhny Novgorod, Orenburg
and Ryazan Regions and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra introduced guests
to Khokhloma painting, the art of making down shawls, Mikhailov and Kukarka
lace, and fur ornaments. A special symbol of the festival was the nevalyashka
(roly-poly toy) created by the National Centre RUSSIA especially for
Turkmenistan. The toy was presented in a new look — a red national costume
featuring a traditional Turkmen ornament. The nevalyashka is one of Russia's
recognisable symbols, embodying friendship as well as resilience and
invincibility. The National Centre RUSSIA nevalyashka has previously donned
national costumes from China, Uzbekistan and India and has also appeared as
Cheburashka.
The National Centre RUSSIA cultural programme became part of the large-scale
Festival of National Cuisines of the CIS Member States and the Islamic Republic
of Iran, which is being held from 7 to 9 October 2026 ahead of the meeting of
the CIS Heads of State Council.
Event photobank
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