International Arctic Volunteer Corps members begin exploring Yugra at the National Centre RUSSIA
The first expedition of the International Arctic Volunteer Corps has begun in Yugra. Volunteers from Russia and eight foreign countries will travel to the Beloyarsky District, where they will work to preserve nature, culture and historical memory. The National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra became the starting point of the volunteer mission. During a tour of the "See Yugra — Fall in Love with Russia!" exposition, they explored the region's history, cultural legacy, natural riches and modern achievements.
"This is my first time in Yugra, and I am impressed by the richness of this land — not so much its material wealth as its natural and spiritual wealth. When I looked through the plane window today at the endless lakes and forests, I wanted to cry with happiness. I particularly liked the gallery at the National Centre featuring portraits of people who have brought distinction to Yugra: there are so many different faces, including athletes and politicians. You can feel that people of strong character are born in harsh lands like this," shared Anastasia Solovyova, a volunteer from Cherepovets.
At the exposition, the participants not only discovered the region as a whole but also learnt more about the district where they will be working. The volunteers were told about the history of the Beloyarsky District, whose name derives from the Belaya River and the word "yar", meaning a high riverbank. A quarter of the district is covered by bodies of water and marshes, while another quarter consists of vast reindeer pastures. It includes seven ethnic villages where the Indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North maintain their traditional way of life.
In the "Faces of Yugra" gallery, the guests saw portraits of outstanding people whose work shaped the history of the autonomous area. Among them was Sergei Manenkov, Head of the Beloyarsky District. Over 36 years in office, he has become known among local residents as the head who is "closest to the people". Under his leadership, Beloyarsky was recognised as Russia's most comfortable city among settlements with populations of up to 100,000.
The delegation showed particular interest in the "Polar Night" art installation — a sculpture of a huge snowy owl with a wingspan of 10 metres, installed in Beloyarsky in 2020. This symbol of the white nights and northern character is presented at the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra in multimedia format.
In the hall dedicated to nature, the volunteers learnt about the Numto Nature Park. It covers almost 600,000 hectares. At its centre lies the lake of the same name, which is sacred to the Kazym Khanty and the Forest Nenets. Three major rivers, including the Kazym, originate there. One of the event halls at the National Centre is named after the river as a symbol of movement and life.
In the "Pride of the Future" hall, the participants saw how the past meets the future. The Beloyarsky District is a key territory with rich natural and industrial potential. In 2024, the district officially became part of Russia's Arctic Zone, while Beloyarsky was ranked first in the autonomous area for the quality of its urban environment and first in Russia among small towns with harsh climates.
Volunteer Tharun Mammadi is originally from India and now lives in the Republic of Karelia. According to him, to get to know the country better, one needs to see its different regions — and now he has arrived in Yugra.
"Today I visited the National Centre RUSSIA for the first time, and this space amazed me. When I saw with my own eyes how culture and traditions are preserved here and felt the spirit of this place, I realised that this is precisely where Yugra's main value lies," he said.
Tomorrow, the volunteers will travel to the Beloyarsky District, where they will work on the ecological trail near Lake Svetloye and at the Kasum Yekh open-air ethnographic museum, as well as create a mural. Local residents will also take part in the work. The expedition will conclude in Khanty-Mansiysk, where the participants will sum up the results and present the outcomes of their work to residents of the autonomous area.
The event is included in the programme of the International Year of Volunteers. The project is organised by the Government of Yugra, represented by the Department of Youth Policy, Civil Initiatives and External Relations; the Yugra Youth Centre autonomous non-profit organisation; the administration of the Beloyarsky District; and the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra. The project is being implemented with the support of Rosmolodyozh as part of the national project "Youth and Children".
Read news about the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra on its official VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, MAX and Telegram accounts.
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