RUSSIA EXPO visitors learned why bears sell ice floes in the North

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The traditions and heritage of the Pomorie protected areas were introduced to the guests of the RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH in Moscow by the staff of the Kenozero and Onega Pomorie National Parks.

Ethnographic programs, where tales about the Arkhangelsk region were told, gathered a lot of spectators: everyone wanted to know why bears sell ice floes in the North and how in the past girls used to fortune tell about their fiancés. The visitors also got acquainted with the animal world of Onega Pomorie through creative masterclasses: anyone could try to make a brooch shaped like a beluga whale out of felt. At the same time the guests learned about the historical, cultural and natural heritage of Onega Peninsula and tourist routes.

The bright culmination of the National Parks' participation in the grand event was the performance of the folklore group Lopshensko Divovanyo - the successor of the Pomors' culture, which preserves the ancient manner of performing northern songs and authentic speech. They performed twice with an hour program, joking, singing, dancing and telling riddles.

According to Evgeny Mazilov, the specialist of Kenozero National Park on formation of tourist products based on traditional culture, the performance at VDNH became an important achievement for the group itself.

"From distant Lopshenga they came to the very heart of our country and conquered it. Despite its young age, Lopshensko Divovanyo is actively developing artistically, and the performance at VDNH will be an additional incentive for this," he believes.

The International RUSSIA EXPO brings together the main achievements of the country. The expositions of 89 regions of Russia are offered to the attention of visitors. The thematic design of the Pomorie stand includes three main semantic lines. The first one presents Arkhangelsk as a university and scientific city that preserves its traditions and is ready for new discoveries. The second one positions the Arkhangelsk region as the cradle of the Russian military fleet. And the third one presents the region as a treasure trove of folk traditions and a territory where people of strong spirit live.

The RUSSIA EXPO will be open until April 12, 2024. Visiting the exposition is free of charge. The expositions are available from Tuesday to Sunday, Monday is a technical day.