Representing Russia: a National Centre RUSSIA guide on working with high-level delegations

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Leading tours for the country’s top officials and representing Russia for foreign delegations is not only a great honour, but also a major responsibility. A guide at the National Centre RUSSIA, Yevgeny Artemenkov, strives to deliver every tour at one hundred per cent for all guests, regardless of their status. His journey began at the International RUSSIA EXPO and now continues at the National Centre, where Yevgeny is one of the leading guides.

Confident delivery, clear diction, and a calm manner of communication — it is hard to believe that Yevgeny has not been working in the guiding profession for very long. He admits that he did not come to the field straight away, but notes that he was always a creative person and took part successfully in school recitation contests. A pleasant voice and strong vocal control proved invaluable when he decided to apply for work at the International RUSSIA EXPO. It was fellow guides who inspired him to change careers.

"I was always fascinated by the work of professional guides. It is amazing how one person can hold the attention of an entire group and truly engage people. That is when I decided to try myself in this field. The real springboard for me was the International RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH — that is where everything essentially began," the guide recalls.

Today Yevgeny Artemenkov leads tours at the National Centre RUSSIA for schoolchildren, pensioners, families with children, official foreign delegations, and the country’s top officials. Working with such guests requires special preparation and inner focus: "An official business visit calls for a certain appearance, conduct, and most importantly, a very precise approach to timing. Often there is very little time allocated for the visit, and within that short window you have to present the material clearly, engagingly, and accurately, strictly keeping within the time limit." 

If it is known in advance who will be attending, the guide tries to familiarise himself with the guest’s biography. It is important to think through the emphasis points and identify which details will be of particular interest to that person. But this is not always possible, and then professional experience becomes essential — building the communication model quickly, on the spot.

"There are moments when you prepare to meet public figures and imagine they will be very strict, serious listeners. And in the end the tour turns out to be light and friendly — guests joke, laugh, ask lots of questions, and show genuine admiration," the guide says.

A separate topic is working with foreign delegations and interpreters. According to Yevgeny’s observations, international guests are impressed by almost everything at the National Centre — from technology and infrastructure to culture and the sheer scale of the country. The expositions clearly demonstrate technological progress, the cultural code, and the diversity of Russia’s regions, which makes a strong impression on visitors from abroad.

"When you speak Russian, you can use complex phrasing and extended narratives. Through an interpreter, you have to be extremely precise — speaking as concisely and clearly as possible, so that the guest understands everything and the interpreter can work comfortably. At the same time, you still need to preserve the feeling of a live, engaging story," the guide explains.

The guide admits that he feels nervous before every tour — whether the group consists of children or the country’s top officials. He sees this as a normal professional emotion that helps him stay focused. The main thing is not to show that anxiety to the guests.

Yevgeny speaks with particular pride about his colleagues. The team at the National Centre RUSSIA brings together many strong professionals, each with their own style and emphasis, which helps everyone grow. What unites all guides is a commitment to constant learning and deeper study of the material. For a true guide, there are no important and unimportant groups: "It is essential for me that every guest — regardless of position or titles — leaves the National Centre RUSSIA with a sense of pride in the country and genuine interest in its regions."

The real reward for the demanding work of guides is the sincere admiration and gratitude of visitors. Yevgeny Artemenkov emphasises that he takes all kind words not as personal compliments, but as recognition of the entire team’s efforts. He always highlights the work of those who create the Centre’s expositions, filling them with meaning and stories that he then shares with guests.