The "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition inspired composer Kirill Bogomilov to create new music for the National Centre RUSSIA

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Music is increasingly becoming an integral part of exposition projects. It sets the rhythm of the space, shapes emotional accents and immerses visitors in the atmosphere of the exposition. Composer, producer, gusli player and author of the music accompanying the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition, Kirill Bogomilov visited the exposition with his family and was inspired to create a new composition — especially for the National Centre RUSSIA.

"Development of our culture is reaching a new level. I find it astonishing — both in concept and in execution. An enormous amount of work has gone into this project. Through epic imagery, it presents the different peoples of our country, their symbols and their tales. Most importantly, children and adults encounter all this not only through books, but also through visual imagery, interactive elements and sound. It is thoughtfully and deeply designed. I am not easily surprised, but here I saw something that genuinely amazes and inspires," said Kirill Bogomilov.

The composer creates music using the gusli and other ethnic instruments, including for cinema: among his projects are the popular hits "The Last Bogatyr" and "Kholop". Kirill Bogomilov is also a finalist of the presidential award "Russia — Land of Opportunity" and an initiator of the recognition of the gusli as a national instrument of Russia together with the Union of Gusli Players of Russia.

Kirill Bogomilov’s fairytale epic music is performed at the National Centre RUSSIA. According to the composer, it was conceived as a modern interpretation of Ancient Rus’ tradition — drawing on epic narratives, archaic motifs and ethnic instruments. This, he believes, allowed it to organically "integrate" into the concept of the "Book of Fairy Tales".

"I created this music in a fairytale style, with elements of Old Russian culture, motifs and symbolism rooted in our epic heritage. I used the gusli and other ethnic instruments, investing in it what I know and feel from Old Russian legends. When I heard how it sounds within the exposition and saw how it connects with the imagery and plots of folk tales, with the visual layer, I realised that everything came together like a puzzle. The music fills the space, creating a fairytale-modern atmosphere with deep roots. For me, this is one of the small miracles of this exposition," Kirill Bogomilov noted.

The composer emphasises that for the new generation, which lives in a digital environment, it is particularly important to find forms that make it possible to "reach" their attention. The "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition and the National Centre RUSSIA address this task through a comprehensive approach to space, design and sound.

Kirill Bogomilov admitted that his creative dialogue with the space of the National Centre RUSSIA is continuing. His impressions of the project and the very idea of uniting cultures through the imagery and narratives of different peoples inspired a new concept: "I want to write a special composition that will unite different epics. I will gift it to the National Centre RUSSIA so that it may be performed here, in this space."

The "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition concludes on 28 February at the National Centre RUSSIA. It was dedicated to the diversity of the fairytale traditions of the peoples of our country. The project helped children and adults see how values and ideas about good and justice are conveyed through fairy tales, and how the single cultural space of Russia is formed from a multitude of distinctive voices and traditions.