St. Petersburg Exhibition Unveils the Hidden Treasures of Russia's Arctic Heritage
A new cultural exhibition has opened in St. Petersburg, celebrating the heritage of the Russian North. The 'Show Me the North: Ust-Tsilma' project launched as part of the KomiLeta series, which highlights the traditions of Old Believers. The event, supported by regional and city leaders, will run until May 24 at the Mayakovsky Central City Public Library. The grand opening featured a lecture by Andrei Golovnev, historian and director of the Kunstkamera. His talk, titled Russia’s Northern Identity, explored the region’s cultural significance. Alongside the lecture, the National Museum of the Komi Republic and the Kunstkamera displayed rare photographs from the 20th and 21st centuries, including 1925 images from the Pechora area.
Visitors can experience traditional songs performed by the Ulonka folk ensemble and musicians from St. Petersburg’s Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory. The exhibition also offers insights into the Ust-Tsilma Hill Fair and a virtual tour of Arctic researcher Andrei Zhuravsky’s memorial study. Ust-Tsilma itself is presented as a key centre of Old Believer culture in the Russian North. *KomiLeta*, organised under the patronage of Rostislav Goldshtein, Head of the Republic of Komi, and St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, aims to promote the region as a vibrant summer destination. The project combines exhibitions, lectures, and performances to showcase the unique legacy of the Old Believers.
The Show Me the North: Ust-Tsilma exhibition remains open until May 24. It provides a rare opportunity to explore the history, music, and traditions of the Komi Republic. Organisers hope the event will encourage greater interest in the region’s cultural and touristic offerings.
