At the National Centre, participants of the Arctic expedition spoke about their journey to Chukotka

At the National Centre RUSSIA, participants of the Arctic expedition shared their journey in an open dialogue format "Focus on Chukotka" from the project "Not in Class." A short film dedicated to the exploration of Arctic territories was prepared for the participants, along with a thematic quiz about Chukotka.

In September 2024, the team of the projects "Not in Class" and the Atom Museum, along with participants of the All-Russian Media School "Show Russia," conducted with the support of the ANO "DEA 'RUSSIA,'" embarked on an exciting journey to Chukotka. Preparations for this unique media expedition began months before its launch at the International RUSSIA EXPO. At that time, it was decided to show the residents of our country that Chukotka is much closer than it seems, and beautiful not only in the summer tourist season.

"President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin visited Chukotka, and the regional government set the task of telling people that Chukotka is not as far as it seems. Chukotka is close. And tourism in Chukotka is not just three months of summer, but a longer journey covering winter, autumn, and spring," said Yulia Baikova, Aide to the Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Region.

In total, the expedition participants covered more than 1,500 kilometers, visiting unique places such as Pevek, Anadyr, the Meechkyn Spit, and Egvekinot. The travelers discovered Chukotka’s pristine nature, immersed themselves in the region’s culture and traditions, and sampled unusual national dishes, such as whale blubber delicacy. During the expedition, participants took numerous photos and videos. Often, to capture beautiful shots, they had to climb hills or wade knee-deep in icy water. One of the most important tasks of the media expedition was the career guidance meetings with schoolchildren.

"I am very happy to attend this event because it allows us to see the opportunities we create within the framework of the project, to immerse ourselves in them by looking at the wonderful media materials shot during the expedition. We are glad it happened. For several years now, within the framework of the project 'Discovering Russia Anew', the program 'More than a Trip has been supported," said Svetlana Zhurkina, Deputy Head of the "More than a Trip" program.

The central theme of the event was the preservation of Chukotka’s unique ecosystem. Mining of natural resources, including natural gas, coal, gold, and silver, is already actively underway in the region, but its full potential remains untapped. Such work requires special attention to ecology and the use of the most advanced scientific methods.

The expedition participants shot a short documentary film about Arctic exploration, which was presented at the meeting. In just a few minutes, the audience learned when the exploration of these harsh territories began, why it is so important for our country, and what role icebreakers and peaceful nuclear technology played in this.

The event concluded with a quiz dedicated to Chukotka, technologies, and science. At the end of the event, the expedition participants answered questions from the audience — explaining how they chose locations for their travels. Next, they plan to head to Baikonur and participate in the Silk Road rally.

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work.

The National Centre RUSSIA is located at 14 Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, Moscow. The Centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Monday.