Natalia Zamyatina: "When working with foreign guests, emotional connection is important"

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During more than two decades of work as a guide-translator and tour guide, Natalia Zamyatina has acquired an invaluable skill – the ability to explain complex things simply. This is especially important when working with foreign delegations. After all, every visit paid by foreign guests to the National Centre RUSSIA is an opportunity to introduce them to the wealth of cultural legacy, the great history, and the natural beauty of our country. The guide shared this in a conversation with the Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA.

Natalia Zamyatina, guide-translator and tour guide, Associate Professor at the Department of Management in International Business and Tourism Industry at the State University of Management, leads tours for visitors to all current expositions of the National Centre RUSSIA. A widely erudite specialist deeply immersed in the material, she can find an approach to any person, including foreign guests, and awaken in them a desire to learn more about Russia.

"Tours for foreign guests are always a challenge, because the task is not only to convey information but also to find points of cultural contact. A great responsibility falls on the guide-translator, as during the visit, foreign guests form an attitude towards Russia and its culture, thus laying the foundation for building long-term relationships," said Natalia Zamyatina.

In her opinion, a successful tour also depends on the ability to correctly consider the audience. It is important to consider the level of preparation of foreign guests in order to adapt the style of presenting the material and the methods used. But the most important thing is to be ready to competently and confidently answer even the most unpredictable questions.

There are nuances in events for high-level official delegations, noted Natalia Zamyatina. Here, it is not enough to have a deep understanding of the exposition’s content – the guide must strictly adhere to the protocol required for such events. This implies knowledge of the rules of conduct, following communication etiquette, and rules of confidentiality regarding the composition of the group.

Guide-translators and tour guides who specialise in working with foreign delegations are present in many of the country's major museums. However, at the National Centre RUSSIA, more than just a deep command of the material is required of them.

"For example, dealing with a delegation from the Republic of Belarus required knowledge in the production of mineral fertilisers and public transport in both countries. For the Republic of Uzbekistan, it was important to mention the Bronze Age archaeological culture common to our peoples and the birthplace of the Turkic-speaking peoples. Unexpected discoveries were made during preparations for tours with delegations from Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea; knowledge of the history and specifics of the economic development of these countries made the tour special," added Natalia Zamyatina.

Each tour is interesting and important in its own way, but according to Natalia Zamyatina, the most successful can be considered the one during which an emotional connection of cultures occurred, and both sides were pleased with the interaction.

"After the tour, guests often thank me, noting my deep knowledge and excellent command of English. I am very pleased to receive such an appraisal of my work, but to a greater extent it reflects on the entire large family of guides at the National Centre RUSSIA, where everyone is doing one big thing – sharing their love for our country."

On the eve of International Tourist Guide Day, the best adult guides and young guides were awarded at the National Centre RUSSIA. 38 people received letters of gratitude for their professionalism, dedication, and contribution to the development of cultural and educational activities. Among them was Natalia Zamyatina, who received her award from the hands of Inessa Grig, Head of the Tourism Department of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, for her outstanding contribution to the development of tourism in the capital. In her congratulatory speech, Inessa Grig noted that guides give tourists new emotions and impressions, and tell them about the sights of Moscow.