International Arctic Corps volunteers create murals featuring the loon in Beloyarsky District
The first expedition of the International Volunteer Arctic Corps has concluded in Yugra. Volunteers from Russia and eight foreign countries took part in the expedition in the Beloyarsky District. One of the international team's achievements was the creation of two murals dedicated to the nature, history and development of the Arctic territory. The common motif of both works is the loon — the symbol of the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra.
"In our project, the loon dives into meanings and brings viewers the most valuable things — legends, images and connections between different eras. It becomes a guide that helps open the "book" of Yugra to a wider audience," said artist and designer Andrei Olkhovsky.
Before starting work on the murals, the volunteers visited the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra, where the region's whole diversity is presented — from its history and culture to its natural environment and modern achievements. During a tour of the "See Yugra — Fall in Love with Russia!" exposition, they learned about an ancient legend of the Ob Ugrians about the creation of the world. According to one version of the legend, in the beginning there was only an endless ocean. The loon dived into it three times and brought up silt in its beak, from which the land was created. What they saw made a strong impression on the expedition participants.Andrei Olkhovs
The murals were created by art designer Andrei Olkhovsky, artist from Yugra Maria Volokitina and volunteer Shreshth Shukla from India. The first mural, created on Repina Street, is titled "Beloyarsky — the City of Two Rivers".
The composition takes the form of an open book. The left-hand page is dedicated to traditions: it depicts a woman wearing a Kazym Khanty costume, traditional patterns and northern landscapes. The right-hand page tells the story of the present through images of factory chimneys, a gas pipeline, labour and technological development. Between the two pages is Beloyarsky, bringing together two worlds and two symbolic rivers: a blue-and-light-blue flow representing nature and the gas pipeline as an industrial river and route.
"It was important for us to leave behind not simply bright images, but a living story of the region. We brought together distinctive ethnic traditions, the grandeur of northern nature and the power of local industry, turning the walls into a large-scale story about the strength, traditions and spirit of this Arctic region," Maria Volokitina said.
The second mural, "Traveller's Map", was created on the back wall of a large fireplace in the administrative building at the "Un-Novyinklor, Ay-Novyinklor Lake System" natural landmark of regional significance. It was conceived not simply as a map of routes, but as a living map and a symbolic portal into the world of northern journeys. At the same time, it will serve as a photo spot and become part of the welcoming space for visitors to the nature park.
The murals now adorn the Beloyarsky District, while the loon running through both compositions brings the story together in a distinctive and recognisable image. For the volunteers, taking part in the project was a genuine immersion in the culture of Yugra. For local residents and visitors, in their turn, the murals will remain a vivid reminder that the legends of the North continue to live on — now through contemporary street art.
News about the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra is available through its official accounts on VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, MAX and Telegram.
The masterclass gave every participant an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of the profession and gain a new perspective on how a theatre production comes to life.
The forum aims to: develop international cooperation in volunteering.
