Surprising India: the National Centre RUSSIA begins its work at INNOPROM in New Delhi
The International Industrial Trade Fair "INNOPROM. India" opened in New Delhi on 9 September. The National Centre RUSSIA presented its flagship project, the Department Store, at the event and also created a cultural zone introducing visitors to Russian folk arts and crafts and the diversity of the country's regions. The Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova, took part in the opening of the stand.
"For the first time in India, as part of INNOPROM, the National Centre RUSSIA is presenting two areas — Russia's cultural zone and our flagship Department Store, which brings together the best products from Russian manufacturers and works by artisans from different regions of the country. Folk arts and crafts in modern Russia are not only a deep-rooted tradition, but also beautiful, vibrant and evolving industries. Here we are presenting useful products made in Russia with great care that are relevant to everyday life. We have also brought a clothing collection featuring famous quotes by our President, Vladimir Putin, which has already proved popular with visitors from different countries, as well as a model of the future National Centre RUSSIA building in Moscow. It is important to us that people around the world know about this unique space — a place that inspires pride in our country, its people, culture and achievements. I invite all guests and participants of INNOPROM to make sure they visit our stand," said the Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova.
Visitors to INNOPROM. India are welcomed by the Russia cultural zone. Its exposition showcases unique examples of handmade Russian decorative and applied art — from crystal and Dymkovo toys to Caucasian carpet weaving and northern lace. The items on display include Gus-Khrustalny crystal, Dymkovo toys, amber products, Kislovodsk porcelain, fur products, Yelets, Mikhailov and Vologda lace, Dagestani carpets, Fedoskino miniatures, gold embroidery, Zhostovo trays, Bogorodsk wood carving and rovduga, traditionally dressed reindeer hide.
Particular attention in the design of the stand is paid to decorative elements, including macrame, Khokhloma painting and red and green tiles. They complement the visual identity of the exposition, combining motifs of Russian decorative and applied art with a contemporary presentation of the space.
One of the Department Store's main missions in India is to showcase the traditions of Russian decorative and applied art. At the centre of the space, an artisan demonstrates traditional techniques and tells visitors about the distinctive features of her craft. Workshops led by representatives of the Ryazan, Kirov and Nizhny Novgorod Regions, as well as the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra, will be held throughout each day of the fair. Visitors to the stand will be able to watch artisans at work and discover traditional techniques used to create fur mosaics, Dymkovo toys, Khokhloma painting and Mikhailov lace.
The National Centre RUSSIA's participation in INNOPROM. India marks the Department Store's first presentation in India. The flagship project was previously presented at INNOPROM. Central Asia in Tashkent and the Russia-China EXPO in Harbin, where its expositions became some of the most visited spaces at the fairs.
Russian and Indian cultures have many points of connection — from rich traditions of decorative and applied art to family and craft practices passed down from generation to generation. Presenting Russian folk arts and crafts in New Delhi creates a space for discovering these traditions and for further cultural dialogue between the two countries.
Another symbol of Russian-Indian friendship is a limited-edition Russian nevalyashka (roly-poly toy), created especially for the fair by the National Centre RUSSIA together with the Tambov-based Kotovskie Nevalyashki factory. Its design incorporates motifs from Indian culture. Themed series of nevalyashka toys were previously created for fairs in Uzbekistan and China.
The International Industrial Trade Fair "INNOPROM. India" is taking place from 9 to 11 September at the Bharat Mandapam exhibition complex in New Delhi. The event is organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with Formika Group serving as the fair operator. The exhibition has brought together more than 130 companies from Russia and India to develop business ties and joint industrial projects.
The event brought together 150 participants, including teachers of Russian and other languages of the peoples of Russia, students from media classes, and members of literary clubs from Moscow and other regions.
One of the key topics on the second day was caring for schoolchildren's health, emotional wellbeing and safety.
The National Centre RUSSIA studies the best world practices and advanced technologies in culture, media and other fields.
