The owner of the longest braid was announced at the National Centre RUSSIA
Seventy-six contestants took part in an event at the National Centre RUSSIA to determine the owner of the longest braid. The contest "A Braid to the Baltic" was held as part of the Kaliningrad Region Days. The winner was Moscow resident Viktoria Shchabelskaya, whose braid measured 120 centimetres.
"We were delighted to take part in the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition and to launch this contest. I sincerely thank all 76 participants from Moscow and other regions of the country — you truly became a special highlight of our stand over these days. Special thanks go to the organisers, who coped with the excitement generated by the contest and carefully measured every centimetre of our participants’ braids. And, of course, this contest is our heartfelt invitation to the Kaliningrad region. Our fairytale region has so much to offer, and we encourage everyone to recommend it to friends and loved ones. In the year marking the 80th anniversary of the Kaliningrad region, we invite everyone and are confident that, once you visit us, you will want to return again and again," said the author of the contest idea, the Governor of the Kaliningrad Region, Alexei Besprozvannykh.
From 13 to 15 January, any visitor to the regional stand had the opportunity to compete for the main prize — a holiday certificate for the famous Curonian Spit.
"I have been growing my hair for more than 23 years as a tribute to family traditions. My mother and grandmother both had long braids, and that inspired me greatly. I truly love my braid and my hair, and for me a long braid is not about length, but about the embodiment of feminine strength, patience and beauty, and, of course, the connection between generations," shared Viktoria Shchabelskaya.
The braid-measuring process resembled a graceful ritual. Each participant’s hair was carefully braided into a classic three-strand plait, after which a special amber braid-measuring tool recorded the result. Second place went to Yana Komissarova, whose braid measured 110 centimetres, while third place was awarded to Taisia Basevich, whose natural treasure reached 92 centimetres. The participants received certificates of honour and commemorative souvenirs infused with the spirit of Russia’s western region.
Visitors can explore the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA, discover the legends, symbols and traditions of different regions of the country, and take part in the cultural and educational programme free of charge as part of a guided tour. Advance registration is available on the website russia.ru.
Event photobank
The National Centre RUSSIA invites audiences to the open lecture hall "Inventing the Future: Plots and Stories", which will be held on 7 February.
Manufacturing industries and industry as a whole are key drivers of economic growth in the Kaliningrad region.
The Kaliningrad region has become an example of how a region can develop and maintain stability even in the face of external challenges.
