The Day of the Russian Geographical Society at the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy

Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev
Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev

The 15th of July, at the equator of summer, there took place the Day of the Russian Geographical Society, dedicated to ethnography at the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy. The organizers and the guests of the event were lucky with the weather – it was warm and sunny. A geographical kaleidoscope from master classes, lectures, cartoons, games and quizzes had been waiting for the participants.

Ethnography is a science that studies the life and customs of peoples, their material and spiritual culture.

Employee of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology named after N.N. Miklouho-Maclay of the Russian Academy of Sciences Natalia Lapkinatold the boys and girls at the master-class about the meaning of the ornaments: with the help of them congratulated, left wishes, told about themselves. For instance, it was possible to get to know whether a woman is married and where she is from, looking at the patterns on her attire. 

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Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev
Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev

Little ethnographers learned from the artist, the author of the «Quartz painting» technology Alexander Nartov that it was possible not only to build locks from the sand, but also to create voluminous pictures. He dedicated the boys and girls to the secrets of his invention, the main idea of which had been inspired by the memories of childhood spent at the mountains and sandy shore. «We have sand, rocks, shells here. Children are drawing, they like the process. This is a general educational moment by the way, this activity forms spatial thinking, one of the most complex elements in the development of the child. He is quietly getting his knowledge through his hands». The children had painted plants and animals at the master-class of Alexander.

The visitor of the event Anna Popova shares her impressions: «Me and my daughter Sasha are delighted! She loves creative work. We have come and we are very happy about this!».

Many of the guests of the event came to the lectures. Thus, the explorer and photographer Alexander Volkov told about the originality of the African state of Mali. He told about a lot of interesting facts of this country. For instance, one of the nations, inhabiting it – are Dogons – they used to believe that their ancestors had come from Sirius, which the ancient Romans called «canicula». 

 

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Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev
Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev

«The information about the paradoxical connection of a distant star and student rest, as well as everything else in the lecture, is being outlined by high school student Dasha Kasatkina. Not for an abstract or report at school. «I have come to the Day of the RGS for inspiration,» the girl says.
The leading researcher of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, professor, doctor of historical sciences Svetlana Ryzhakova read a lecture of the way how the caste system and the life of tribes are being surprisingly united in modern India. «India is a big country, ant it needs a serious conversation. It is very important, interesting and needed», - Svetlana noted.  

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Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev
Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev

A photographer, explorer, a member of the Association of free guides Kirill Uyutnov revealed the secrets of the expedition to Chukotka, Yakutia and Yamal.

The gathered guests participated in the quiz with pleasure. A pupil Egor Kozhevnikov coped with it better than the others. «I like geography, that is why I am trying not to miss such kind of thematic events of the Russian Geographical Society», - the boy told. His mother Yulia Kozhevnikova lasts the speech: «We come with educational targets. My son knows the geography well thanks largely to the Russian Geographical Society. Your quizzes are not knowledge, but fiestas as well».   

The tenth-grader Oleg Butenko knows well where love to geography may lead. The prize-winner of the All-Russian Olympiad in this subject has already entered the Moscow State University, not yet graduated from school. Oleg visited the Day of the Russian Geographical Society with his friend: «I thought that it would be interesting to me here, and that has been found out to be true». The boys have listened to the lectures, have played ethnographic game «Memory». It took the young geographers only 14 minutes to collect the spils puzzle map, composed of the regions of Russia. 

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Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev
Photo by Nikolay Razuvaev

In the interval between the lectures there was awarded the winner of the joint contest of the Russian Geographical Society and the WWF «#The geography of Russia» Dmitry Fedorishev. He had published wonderful photos and text dedicated to Tarusa - a city in the Kaluga region. The winner of the contest got branded gifts from the Russian Geographical Society and World Wildlife Fund and the applause of the audience.   

 

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Dmitry Fedorishchev with his son. Photo by Nikolai Razuvaev
Dmitry Fedorishchev with his son. Photo by Nikolai Razuvaev

Dmitry and the other guests of the fiesta have not stayed indifferent with the photo exhibition «The most beautiful country».

«We are glad that we managed to visit the Day of the Russian Geographical Society. We have been very much interested in the wonderful exhibition with the sights of our country. We hoped that such kind of events will be at the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy every day. But it has been found out that this kind of event is only one day, and we are enjoying it today of course», - a guest of the event Alla Kapkaeva shares her impressions of the fiesta.

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Photo by Nikolai Razuvaev
Photo by Nikolai Razuvaev