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Oleg Nilov, founder of Dobrovidenie festival and deputy head of the A Just Russia fraction, reminded guests of the exhibition in his welcoming statement that 2020 was declared to be the year of Russian folk art by decree of the president: “I urge you all, this wonderful year, to unite around our principal values, handed down to future generations by our forebears and tested by time. These folk traditions must be preserved and protected.”

Maria Kozlova, deputy head of the Division of National Artistic Trades of the Department of Socially Significant Goods Development of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, mentioned the project’s growth: “The event is gaining momentum and is improving every year. This process is notable and I hope for further development and prosperity.”

“Masters and craftspeople are the ‘gold’ of Russia,” claims Elena Kravets-Reznik, managing partner of the company Lilies of Alexander Vasilyev, “It’s very important to create convenient platforms for them where they can demonstrate their masterpieces, develop themselves and perfect their abilities.”

Natalya Serebrovskaya, head of the exhibitions division of ExpoForum International, spoke about the mission of the Nevskiy Larets project: “In the world there are not many exhibitions with such an intimate atmosphere. Nevskiy Larets is a story which reveals the rich soul of the Russian people, since nothing else unites us with our history and traditions quite like this. All these works are not made to meet orders, but a calling from the soul.”

Also participating in the opening ceremony were Vadim Savchenko, chairman of the board of the Association “Folk Arts and Crafts of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region”, Adam Galayev, head of the Association of Potters of Ingushetia and Magomet Nalgiyev, director general of My Business business centre.

The trade fair was held with support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Governments of St. Petersburg and of Leningrad Region, the association “Folk Arts and Crafts of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast” and a number of industry-specific regional associations.

Nevskiy Larets is not only a professional forum for talented masters and craftspeople, but also an amazing world of traditional folk culture. Visitors can expect a colourful entertainment programme, prize draws, fashion shows, presentations by art collectives and interactive shows. In the master class zone, the exhibition’s guests will be acquainted with the history and culture of hand-made and artisanal production, and create their own masterpiece with guidance from experts. There will be lessons on smithing, porcelain painting and textile art, making roses out of cold porcelain and prints, working with mosaics and much more. It is important to note that some workshops are paid. Find out more from the organisers and the masters running the workshops.

Nevskiy Larets is being held in the Expoforum convention and exhibition centre (pavilion E) and will be going on until 9 February. For visitors’ convenience, free buses are running from Moskovskaya metro station. Free entry tickets are available at: larets.expoforum.ru

The event’s sponsor is Gazprombank (JSC). The organiser is EF-International LLC.