Regional diversity and the country’s historical experience to become the foundation of the new Russian style
At the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future", held on 8 October at the National Centre RUSSIA, a panel discussion titled "What Is the New Russian Style?" brought together experts to explore how the state can convey the people’s shared dreams and values through the visual environment, how to use historical heritage and traditions in creating a modern Russian style, and whether it will be possible to recognise a city by its design.
The session was moderated by Andrei Melentyev, Head of the Department for State Visual Communications Control at the National Centre RUSSIA. Opening the discussion, he noted that the new Russian style is now being widely discussed.
"Today, visual communications are not just a form of ‘soft power’, but an effective instrument of influence," he emphasised.
It is necessary to create a registry of recommended symbols in architecture and the design of public spaces that reflect Russia’s historical achievements and key directions of development, as well as the unity of its multi-faith people, believes Executive Director of the Moscow Investors Club Vladislav Preobrazhensky.
"Each period of Russian history has its own distinctive architectural style. However, we can always refer to a shared system of values, which is reflected in the most significant events and accomplishments. To integrate these into contemporary and future architecture, we propose developing a unified registry of symbols and design approaches," said Vladislav Preobrazhensky.
According to Yekaterina Gurova, Dean of the Faculty of Design and Media Communications at the Presidential Academy, the new Russian style must respond vividly to young people and their aspirations.
"Russia has always been open, friendly, hospitable, vast and powerful. These qualities have remained unchanged through time, while the means of expressing them can evolve. What we are looking for now are the ways to reflect our heritage," said Yekaterina Gurova.
Victoria Semyonova, Doctor of Engineering, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, member of the Union of Architects of Russia and Honoured Architect of Russia, believes that the relevance of discussing the new Russian style has now reached its peak.
"On the one hand, society today is united by the internet and fashion; on the other hand, every person seeks to identify with a particular place. That’s why every city needs its own code of identity — and here we come to the discussion of the Russian national style," said Victoria Semyonova.
Maria Vasilkova, Deputy of the State Duma, noted that the country needs cultural sovereignty. She stressed that when the state helps to define strategic priorities, it leads to a deeper understanding of identity. Today, true and profound patriotism is bearing fruit — it provides answers to the questions ‘who we are, where we are heading and why we live,’ she said.
The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" was held on 7 – 8 October at the National Centre RUSSIA, bringing together participants more than 85 countries and all regions of the Russian Federation. More than 260 Russian and international experts from China, the United States, Italy, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa took part. The programme featured around 50 events within both the expert and open sessions. The full schedule and livestreams are available at the website.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is organised on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. Analytical partner is the VCIOM Analytical Centre. Literary partner is Eksmo-AST Publishing Group.
