The embroidered map of the country launched the "Modern Musical Map of Russia"

The realized artistic project "Embroidered Map of Russia" united and inspired cultural and artistic figures to create and promote a new large-scale project, the "Modern Musical Map of Russia". The launch of this cultural initiative was announced on April 4 at a press conference at MIA "Russia Today". The culmination of the project will be a grand gala concert, which will take place on the stage of the National Centre RUSSIA on National Unity Day.

According to the Minister of Culture, Nationalities, and Archival Affairs of the Chuvash Republic, Svetlana Kalikova, the "Embroidered Map of Russia" was born from the map of Chuvashia, made up of various embroidery examples from the municipalities of the region.

"The project 'Embroidered Map of Russia' has quite a long journey. In 2021, by the decree of the regional head, we introduced the Day of Chuvash Embroidery. The next project of 2021 was the 'Embroidered Map of Chuvashia', a multinational region. The map turned out to be rich and interesting, and the idea immediately arose to unite the entire Russia on one canvas. The start of this project was given on November 26, 2021, on the Day of Chuvash Embroidery. On June 12, 2022, we united the entire country on one canvas. The 'Embroidered Map of Russia' includes over 200 types of embroidery and more than 200 types of materials. We once again saw how rich our country is. It includes golden and silver embroidery, and the embroidery of new regions," said Svetlana Kalikova.

The living "Embroidered Map of Russia" was presented at the International RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH in Moscow. It was this project that launched the new initiative — "Modern Musical Map of Russia". Its goal is to create a musical canvas reflecting all the cultural richness and diversity of our country. As part of the project, a nationwide music festival will be held, where new compositions reflecting the cultural diversity of the peoples of Russia will be presented. The selection of participating composers will begin this summer. They will be tasked with creating musical works that serve as the calling cards of their regions. These works will be performed as part of regional concert programs and later incorporated into the "Modern Musical Map of Russia".

"The expert selection of composers will be launched in Chuvashia on June 24, the 105th anniversary of Chuvashia's autonomy, as part of the festival of folk ensembles 'Springs of Russia'. The expert council will consist of people who work specifically with national themes, with national musical instruments. And here, I think, we shouldn’t set strict criteria. Because the very idea behind the 'Embroidered Map of Russia' project was freedom, which we gave to the masters. At that time, we sent them patterns and fabric samples and asked them to embroider exactly those patterns that are characteristic of their regions. I believe that the musical works will be entrusted to our composers, who are much better, compared to officials, at understanding the specifics of our musical theme. And I think we will hear and see incredible musical works," emphasized Svetlana Kalikova.

The project "Modern Musical Map of Russia" is aimed at preserving and developing national academic performing arts, supporting composers' schools, and strengthening interregional cultural ties. Recordings of all works will be placed on streaming platforms and sent to the regions for inclusion in the repertoires of creative ensembles and festival programs. The final stage will be a series of concerts in Moscow in September 2025, on the stage of the large hall of the "Workshop '12'" by Nikita Mikhalkov.

The culmination of this cultural initiative will be a large-scale gala concert at the National Centre RUSSIA. Recordings of all works will be placed on streaming platforms and sent to the regions for inclusion in the repertoires of creative ensembles and festival programs.

The project is being implemented by the Foundation for Innovative Development of Culture, Education, and Science (FIRKON) with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.