Craft as art: unique workshops from the South Urals at the National Centre RUSSIA

As part of the exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future", the National Centre RUSSIA is hosting a thematic week dedicated to the Chelyabinsk region. One of the key events of the regional presentation was a series of workshops titled "From Craft to Art".

The practical sessions were led by Alexandra Kaptel, who has spent many years preserving and promoting traditional folk crafts both in her homeland and far beyond it.

"I’ve been fascinated by handicrafts since childhood. My mother and grandmother are creative people, so beautiful things were made before my eyes from my earliest years," said Alexandra Kaptel.

What began as a childhood hobby has become her life’s work. In her native Chelyabinsk, Alexandra runs a grant-supported project titled "Our Lace Urals", where she teaches anyone interested the ancient crafts of bobbin lace, shuttle lace, and crochet at various events and festivals.

At the Chelyabinsk region stand at the National Centre RUSSIA, the craftswoman demonstrated the basics of the intricate yet captivating technique of bobbin lace making — weaving with wooden spools that results in true lace masterpieces. Participants also had the opportunity to decorate a handkerchief using traditional woodblock printing and create a stylish handmade keychain with woven beads.

In addition to acquiring practical skills, visitors learned about authentic crafts of the South Urals — Zlatoust steel engraving and Kasli cast-iron moulding. Their examples, including a unique "digital" mural designed in the engraving style, were displayed at the mini-exposition "Fusion of Traditions".

A true highlight of the first days of the regional week were the young women wearing costumes from the collection "Masterful Urals", created by the Russian Costume Theatre at the South Ural Pedagogical University.

Throughout the regional days, visitors to the stand can take part in new workshops — from painting wooden cuts to making trendy brooches decorated with Ural gemstones. Guests of the exposition will also have a chance to discover ancient legends and tales of the Chelyabinsk region, listen to the Onegin male quartet from the Chelyabinsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, play "atomic" games, receive memorable souvenirs, and even join a gastronomic show featuring tastings of authentic South Ural dishes.

The Regional Days are held as part of the exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA from September to October. Visitors have already explored the Republic of Dagestan, the Voronezh, Tula and Amur regions, as well as the Jewish Autonomous Region. The cultural and educational programme of the Chelyabinsk region runs from 7 to 12 October, and the series of regional presentations will conclude with the Nenets Autonomous Area from 14 to 19 October.