One day until the exposition in Harbin: what the National Centre RUSSIA is preparing for guests of the Russia-China EXPO

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There is 1 day left until the opening of the 10th Russia-China EXPO in Harbin. Tomorrow, on 17 May, the National Centre RUSSIA will take part in an exposition in China for the first time, where it will present its flagship project, Department Store RUSSIA. The stand, designed in merchant style with carved shutters, a tiled roof and regional ornaments, will feature an exposition including goods from different parts of our country. These will include delicacies, accessories, folk arts and crafts, tableware, and an exclusive collection of clothing and accessories featuring quotes by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Visitors will be able not only to see all of this, but also to purchase it.

"We have brought to Harbin items by Russian manufacturers that are especially valued in China. As a sign of friendship and respect for traditions, we have prepared a special collection of nevalyaska dolls (roly-poly dolls): a girl in a panda costume, a panda itself, and a nevalyashka doll in red and gold colours, symbols of prosperity in Chinese culture. Visitors to the stand of the National Centre RUSSIA will be able to discover our culture and feel genuine warmth and openness. Through art, we show that the dialogue between Russia and China is based on mutual interest and long-standing friendship," said Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova.

Shared ornaments and decorative motifs in the design of the Department Store stand will highlight the closeness of cultures. An exclusive project by a Chinese brand and Russian designer Liza Anisimova, inspired by the legacy of Russia and China, haute couture and contemporary art, will also become an example of friendly relations and centuries-long cultural dialogue.

The stand’s decor, like a magical casket, uses sketches based on "The Little Humpbacked Horse" by the famous Russian poet Pyotr Yershov, the finest handmade Kukarka lace created by craftswomen from the Kirov Region, and green glazed tiles inspired by the famous Yaroslavl majolica.

Visitors to the stand can also look forward to a rich cultural programme. A craftswoman from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) will hold a workshop on weaving items from horsehair, one of the region’s oldest crafts. A representative of the Ryazan Region will introduce guests to the art of Mikhailov lace-making. This unique folk craft is known for its bright coloured lace, which is woven by hand on bobbins using a continuous technique, without breaking the thread across the entire item. Traditionally, this lace was used to decorate linen products. In addition, a craftswoman from the Sverdlovsk Region will present artistic woodwork and demonstrate the technique of Ural painting.

At the Department Store stand, guests will be able not only to immerse themselves in traditions, but also to look into the future by seeing a model of the new building of the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow, which will open in 2029. Construction was launched on 26 March 2026 by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The project is designed in a bionic style and echoes the natural shapes of snow cover. The new building will have an area of more than 200 thousand square metres and will be able to welcome up to 20 thousand guests at a time.

The Russia-China EXPO is a trade and industrial platform for partnership, investment and technology exchange between Russia and China. The event has been held annually since 2014, alternating between host countries: in Russia, at the International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM in Yekaterinburg, and in China, as part of the Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair. The stand in Harbin is the National Centre RUSSIA’s second overseas presentation. The first point of presence abroad was the International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM in Tashkent in 2026.