A perfumery map of the country at the Department Store RUSSIA
Ready-made aroma diffusers forming a perfumery map of Russia have appeared at the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA. Visitors can explore scents dedicated to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnodar, Kaliningrad, Suzdal, Kazan, Vladikavkaz, as well as Siberia, Crimea, and Dagestan. They were created by students of the Diana Gurtskaya Centre for Social Integration.
"One of the city’s priorities is the introduction and development of inclusive services and programmes so that Muscovites with disabilities can lead full lives: engage in sport, science, and, of course, creative work. A year and a half ago, we launched a unique project at the Diana Gurtskaya Centre for Social Integration — a perfumery academy. Here, children with visual impairments discover the world of scents. Under the careful guidance of experienced mentors, they study the intricacies of perfumery and create their own compositions. Throughout this time, we have been developing the academy, introducing new formats and engaging new partners. This season, the National Centre RUSSIA joined us. Our joint work resulted in a creative project — a perfumery map of 10 regions and cities of Russia. The children created exclusive fragrance compositions that convey the character and mood of some of the country’s most picturesque places. The scents will become available to everyone this spring," said Deputy Mayor of Moscow Anastasia Rakova.
At the first stage of work on the compositions, the young perfumers immersed themselves in the atmosphere of various regions and cities. They explored local characteristics, experienced familiar and new scents, and sought to capture the mood of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnodar, Kaliningrad, Suzdal, Kazan, Vladikavkaz, as well as Siberia, Crimea, and Dagestan. To choose the region or city they would work with, participants drew lots. At the second stage, the children began creating the fragrances. Based on their knowledge and personal impressions, they developed unique formulas and ultimately produced their compositions. The National Centre supported the project and provided space for the young perfumers to present their work.
The perfumery academy for visually impaired children at the Diana Gurtskaya Centre for Social Integration opened in December 2024. Here, Muscovites aged six to sixteen with visual impairments study the basics of perfumery and create their own unique fragrance compositions. The academy’s workshops are adapted for tactile work. The equipment used in classes is labelled in Braille. In 2025, a series of workshops for children was held under the guidance of a well-known cosmetics company. The young perfumers learned the fundamentals of the craft and created exclusive compositions.
The Diana Gurtskaya Centre for Social Integration of the Moscow Department of Labour and Social Protection organises international, national, and city-level events and festivals for people with disabilities. Its students regularly become winners and laureates of prestigious creative competitions.
The document was signed by Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova, and Director General of the State Historical Museum, Alexei Levykin.
