The Arctic Day in the Presidential Library united regions of Russia

Representatives of dozens of scientific, cultural and educational institutions of Russia from Yakutsk to Murmansk have become participants of the Arctic Day, which today, February 28, 2019, took place in the Presidential Library. The event was co-organized by St. Petersburg Committee on Arctic Affairs.

“The Arctic Territory is very important for the whole world, but for the Russian Federation it is of particular importance in a geographical, research and cultural context”, - said Ilya Bykovnikov, Director General of the Presidential Library in his welcoming speech. “Our event should help ensure that relevant information regarding the Arctic is interesting and accessible not only to a narrow circle of specialists, but also to a wide circle of users of the Presidential Library”.

Today, the Presidential Library’s portal provides access to a large-scale electronic collection telling about the history of the development of the Arctic territories. It includes scientific studies, essays, memoirs, archival files, official documents, newsreels, photographs and other visual materials telling about Arctic travels and expeditions, about the Arctic Ocean, about the territories adjacent to it and the lives of their inhabitants, about developing polar lands. from ancient times to our time. A separate section is presented on the Northern Sea Route, which played a significant role in the development of the Arctic; as well as materials of art exhibitions about the North. In addition, on the portal of the Presidential Library, collections have been formed dedicated to individual regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation - the Murmansk Region, the Yamalo-Nenetsky and Chukotka Autonomous Area, and others.

The Arctic Day in the Presidential Library has been held since 2013 and each time it takes on new forms. This year, the cycle of events started with the opening of the multimedia exhibition “The Attraction of the North”, where photographs of Vladimir Plotnitsky, a photo artist from Vorkuta, were presented. The conference-webinar considered reports on hydrographic research in the Arctic, innovative shipbuilding technologies, the construction of new nuclear-powered icebreakers, the development of tourism in the Arctic zone, and historical research in the Arctic in the late XIX - early XX century. Also, an interregional online quiz “The Arctic Unites!” was held for university students, designed to generate interest among young people in the northern regions. The meeting of the round table "Ships for the Arctic: Discussion with Professionals" spotlighted the construction of new nuclear-powered icebreakers of the project 22220 "Arctic".

“The Arctic Day” - is a traditional event held in the Presidential Library at the end of February. The project aims to promote Russian science, culture and education, maintain the country's positive image in the circumpolar states, promote Arctic research as part of development of education in accordance with world-wide trends, promote, support and consolidate the positions of the Russian language, introduce the information component into the development of the Arctic strategy of the Russian Federation, establish the Arctic as a zone of peaceful interaction and cooperation.

Multimedia exhibition “The Attraction of the North”. Photos by Vladimir Plotnitsky