International Festival of National Cultures "Siberia – Territory of Peace and Harmony"
The grand opening of the International Festival of National Cultures “Siberia – Territory of Peace and Harmony” took place at Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU) on November 5. The university is currently home to more than 1,500 international students fr om 56 countries.
As part of the festival, an educational project titled "The Power of Youth: Unity and Responsibility" was organized at INRTU with grant support from the All-Russian competition “Rosmolodyozh. Grants”.
The festival’s opening was a genuine celebration, allowing every member of the INRTU community to experience the diversity of cultural heritage. The rhythmic performance by the folk club of ethnic percussion “Ethnobit studio” filled the university space with a unique energy.
The participants were greeted by the Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, Daria Lobanova:
“Today is a celebration of the soul and of unity. Our university is home to students of many different nationalities. I wish you all peace, kindness, and success in your studies. I encourage you to actively join the events of the Festival of National Cultures”.
Veronika Timofeeva, deputy chairman of the regional branch of the Assembly of Peoples of Russia in the Irkutsk Region, noted that INRTU is one of the most multinational venues:
“You are all so different, yet you live as one big family. It is wonderful to see education fostering universal values and respect for representatives of different peoples in the youth”.
The program featured performances by creative groups from the Center for Cultural, Mass and Educational Work, and winners of the first-year students’ festival “Debut at INRTU”.
The audience was treated to the clear voices of folk club of the Russian song “Kalina” and Anastasia Shodnoyeva, a student from the School of Information Technology and Data Science. Freshmen from the Baikal School of BRICS demonstrated national diversity through dance. Students from folk club of modern choreography “Shagi” also performed.
A fair of Irkutsk artisans and master classes were organized in the university hall. Attendees could purchase jewelry made from precious stones, glass, and polymer clay, as well as gingerbread, honey, and pastila (fruit leather). Those who enjoy pleasant scents could find handmade candles and perfumes.
Particular interest was drawn to the Center of Buryat Culture zone, wh ere students could learn about the traditional Buryat and Mongolian dice game “Shagai Naadan”. The bones, in certain positions, symbolize five types of animals (sheep, goat, cow, horse, and camel). The game required dexterity and strategic thinking to collect the most bones.
A creative “Stone Painting” master class was held in the “Pharmasintez” coworking space. All necessary materials were provided by the organizers. Painting enthusiasts created their own souvenirs by hand, which will serve as mementos of the festival.
Sergey Kolobov from the Geological Exploration Technical School noted that the performances by the creative groups showcased the full multinational spectrum of the university:
“When I first applied here, what struck my imagination was the huge building of INRTU. Now, studying in my third year, I understand that INRTU is, above all, a huge student team representing dozens of countries around the world. And all these guys study right beside me in the next rooms”.
Roman Maksimov from the School of Subsurface Resource Management came to Irkutsk from the village of Khorinsk in the Republic of Buryatia. He happily played two rounds of “Shagai Naadan” with his classmates and bought some tasty gifts:
“I bought a lot of different gingerbread and pastila; I want to treat my younger brother. I believe the artisans’ fair was a great addition to the festival opening, as students from other countries are always curious to see and learn something new”.
It is worth noting that the International Festival of National Cultures “Siberia – Territory of Peace and Harmony” has been held at INRTU since 2012. The event grew from a Nations Day in the Student Village and has gained renown throughout the region. The festival’s program includes exhibitions, fairs, creative meetings, and concerts, as well as conferences with representatives of various diasporas and religious faiths.
