Soul of Russia International Festival of the Peoples of the North

Russia | India
The Soul of Russia International Festival of the Peoples of the North was held during the SPIEF 2023 at the Lenfilm studio. The aim of the Soul of Russia Festival is to increase the contribution made by the creative industries into the Russian economy and to promote national values globally, while also supporting development of the creative sector. This is one of the events scheduled to take place during Russia's chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021-2023, the events operator being the Roscongress Foundation.

Soul of Russia International Festival of the Peoples of the North, Held as Part of SPIEF 2023

The Festival focuses on contemporary reinterpretation of the traditions, historical heritage and unique handicrafts of the indigenous peoples of the North. More than 500 musicians, artists, craftsmen, designers, lecturers and other representatives of creative industries from 15 Russian regions took part in the Festival. The event featured 14 exhibitions, more than 20 workshops and 16 film screenings as part of the Spirit of Fire Academy's Northern Film Festival, including a preview screening of "The Yugra Novellas". Six ethnic dwellings and works by seven street artists were also on display at the Lenfilm studio. The programme included more than 30 lectures, seven fashion shows and performances by over 30 music groups. The festival featured a dance team from the Indian Embassy and a delegation from the UAE, who presented a dance group performance, treated guests to a national tent and conducted various workshops. More than 5,000 people attended the Festival events.

An agreement on developing cultural cooperation was signed on 14 June, the opening day of the Soul of Russia Festival. The document was signed by Nadezhda Preobodnaya, Secretary of State and Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Natalya Komarova, Governor of Yugra, and Alexander Stuglev, Director of the Roscongress Foundation.