EXHIBITION OF THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA OPENS AT EXPOFORUM
On 28-29 June, Petersburgers and visitors to the city had the chance to learn more about the traditions of the peoples of the Russian North, South, East and West. Guests were treated to performances by dance and vocal folk ensembles, game areas, and master classes.
Guests were welcomed into an izba – the traditional dwelling of the Slavs. Here, an icon, hearth, birchbark handicrafts and other household items were all on display. Guests were invited to attend master classes on dry felting, wood painting and pysanka (Easter-egg painting). Performance troupes in brightly coloured national costumes sang chastushkas and showcased round-dancing.
The photographic exhibition “Daily Life of the Slavic Peoples” featured such scenes from the everyday life of the Slavs as haying, threshing and potato harvesting. Typical occupations of the late-19th – early 20th centuries were also on display: cobbler, grinder, whisk-maker and blintz-baker.
The ethnic square of Russia’s Northern peoples was adorned by a chum – the traditional dwelling of nomadic reindeer-herders, made of poles and covered by birch bark, felt batting and deerskin. Of particular interest was the exposition of fur and beaded items, featuring Eskimo slippers, rosette amulets and other Nenets and Even crafts. The ambience of the North was created by falling artificial snowflakes, accompanied by the music of a Karelian group.
Two yurts – Bashkir and Kazakh – were on display in the Turkic ethnic square, which also hosted competitions in tug-of-war, stilt walking and Bashkir belt wrestling. Guests were invited to take a firsthand look at national Turkic garments and rugs, and to take part in master classes in the art of down knitting, patch-working and leather-mosaic-making.
The Causasus ethnic square showcased the traditional dwelling of the Caucasian highlanders – the sakley (hut), with its distinctive flat roof. The setting and interior décor of the home are Spartan: trunks, clay pitchers, and traditional weapons. Guests were treated to a special exposition of dolls in national Dagestani costumes, and performances by folk ensembles staging the traditional lezghinka and kafa dance.
The central part of the exhibition was occupied by mock-ups of the future Ethnopark, which is slated to be built in one of St. Petersburg’s districts. According to plans, it will house ethnic squares and a café, playgrounds, a zoo, stylized hotels, handicraft workshops, and a “Friendship House”.
According to the General Director of ExpoForum International Sergei Voronkov, this is a very important project for ExpoForum: “We’re planning to host not only business but also cultural events, and visitors to the Ethnopark will be able to appreciate the vast resources of our venue for themselves.”
