"One country — one family": how the branches of the National Centre RUSSIA celebrated National Unity Day

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The National Centre RUSSIA and its branches celebrated National Unity Day with an extensive and engaging journey through the cultures, flavours and traditions of our multiethnic country. The celebrations had a distinctive local character in each region, while sharing the same spirit of pride in our common Motherland and its great history, a sincere interest in one another and the ability to come together.

Primorye Territory

In Primorye, the celebrations combined food and creativity. Guests prepared Far Eastern dumplings with pollock and squid, shaped crescent-moon biansi dumplings, and tasted skoblyanka with seafood and whelk with pearl barley and porcini mushrooms. Meanwhile, workshops at the venue offered opportunities to make kokoshnik headdresses, keyrings and souvenirs with Russian patterns.

The concert programme showcased the country's cultural diversity. The Song and Dance Ensemble of Russia's Red Banner Pacific Fleet performed a Koryak dance, soloists Dugar Badmazhapov and Zayat Radnayev sang Buryat and Mongolian songs, and balalaika player Semyon Sachko and the ensemble of the "Vostok" Young Sailors' Flotilla also performed. The celebrations culminated in the "Khorovod of Unity" (round dance). Performers from "Vikhr", a folk dance ensemble honoured by the Primorye Territory, were the first to join, followed by everyone who wished to take part.

Krasnoyarsk Territory

The National Unity Day programme at the National Centre RUSSIA on the Yenisei featured performances in its concert hall by Nadezhda Samkova, an Honoured Artist of the Territory, singer Anna Bronnikova, Muzykalnaya Narodnaya Druzhina, Evenki performer Deggi and combined dance ensembles.

The interactive "Bogatyr Outpost" area was a particular attraction, offering Russian folk games, a photo area with swords, coin minting and musical instruments. Guests could also take part in workshops ranging from patchwork and plate painting to wool felting and making protective dolls.

The concert programme culminated in a khorovod set to a medley of familiar melodies from different peoples. The large khorovod of unity brought performers and guests together. The concert was repeated throughout the day, giving everyone who wished to participate a chance to do so.

Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra

In Yugra, guests joined Governor Ruslan Kukharuk in testing their knowledge of the peoples of Russia in the XI International Educational Campaign "Great Ethnographic Dictation". Participants answered 30 questions, 11 of which were posed by video by participants in the special military operation and representatives of the peoples of Russia. Yugra's question was posed by Stepan Kechimov, Chair of the regional public organisation "Union of Reindeer Herders of Yugra".

A formal awards ceremony was also held on National Unity Day at the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra. The Governor of Yugra, Ruslan Kukharuk, presented state and regional awards to residents whose work and public activities contribute to the region's development, the preservation of its cultural legacy and stronger interethnic harmony. The winners of the Governor's Award "For Contributions to the Development of Interethnic Relations" were announced, and five young Movement of the First activists from Khanty-Mansiysk, Surgut and the Surgut District received Russian passports.

The celebrations continued with the concert "Khorovod: The Energy of Unity", based on the legend of the sacred bird Loon, which brings together the traditions and songs of different peoples. The programme's special guest was Vasily Pasechnik, a finalist on Channel One's "The Voice" and a combat veteran. Audience members joined the performers for the production's finale. Guests also enjoyed "A Pie for the Fourth", a tasting programme featuring baked goods from Yugra producers.

Ryazan Region

The music and dance parable "Khorovod. The Energy of Unity" premiered in grand style in Ryazan. Through folk dance, ballet and contemporary choreography, the performers told a story of Russia's cultural diversity. Creative ensembles from the Ryazan Region shared the stage, showing that folk arts remain relevant in the modern world and that classical dance blends harmoniously with the energy of today.

Visitors to the Ryazan branch of the National Centre RUSSIA could also explore the region's crafts and traditions in themed areas and workshops. The celebrations concluded with all the participants and audience members joining in a large khorovod — a symbol of unity and mutual respect.

Moscow

A highlight of the celebrations at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow was the "Unity of Russia" quiz, which marked two occasions — National Unity Day and the second anniversary of the National Centre RUSSIA. More than 200 people took part in the contest of knowledge, including schoolchildren, young people, families and children. Players faced five themed rounds with questions about Russia's history, peoples and cultural code, the National Centre RUSSIA, the Year of Unity of Peoples and the country's future.