- 12.10.2026 14:12
The Culture and History of the Peoples of Russia: Our Shared Wealth
By decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, 2026 has been declared the Year of Russia’s Unity. For all of us, this is a source of pride in our vast, multi-ethnic country, where every people contributes to its shared culture.
Throughout 2026, events are taking place across Russia aimed at strengthening interethnic harmony, preserving cultural diversity, and fostering a unified, all-Russian civic identity.
Tula State University is actively involved in this significant undertaking.
Today, TulSU hosted a masterclass titled "A Calendar of Holidays of the Peoples of Russia."
The event was organized for third-year students of the Institute of Law and Management by the Coordination Center for Fostering an Active Civic Stance Among Youth—which also works to prevent interethnic and interconfessional conflicts, counter the ideology of terrorism, and forestall extremism—in collaboration with the Department of the History of State and Law.
The participants were welcomed by the head of the department, Sergey Nikolayevich Kovalev, Candidate of Economic Sciences.
He briefed the students on the work of the Coordination Center, emphasizing that all its initiatives are designed to preserve historical memory and cultivate an active, engaged outlook among young people.
Sergey Nikolayevich wished the participants a rewarding experience and memorable impressions.
Ksenia Streletskaya, an inspector at the Coordination Center, noted that Russia is one of the most multi-ethnic countries in the world, home to over 190 distinct peoples. Each group possesses its own language, customs, traditions, holidays, and folklore. The unique culture and history of these peoples represent not only a great treasure but also a vital resource for the country’s development. During the workshop, the participants were divided into five teams: the Buryats, the Maris, the Ossetians, the Tatars, and the Chukchi.
The students were tasked with creating holiday calendars for the ethnic groups their teams represented, presenting them, and identifying common traits that unite people of different nationalities.
Darya Bondarchuk, a representative from the Coordination Center, explained to the participants that the holidays of Russia’s various peoples are special days that reflect the cultural, historical, or religious identity of a specific ethnic group or nation.
Everyone is familiar with Maslenitsa—a celebration marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring. During Maslenitsa, people bake blini (pancakes) that symbolize the sun, burn an effigy of winter, go sledding, and hold various competitions. Each day of the Maslenitsa week has its own traditional name: "Meeting," "Flirtation," "Treats," "Revelry," "Mother-in-law’s Evening," "Sister-in-law’s Gathering," and "Farewell."
Although it has long since become a popular folk celebration, Maslenitsa’s roots lie in paganism.
Darya continued by noting that National Unity Day is an official state holiday observed throughout Russia.
On November 4, 1612, the people’s militia led by Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky stormed the Kitay-gorod district and liberated Moscow from Polish invaders.
In the context of Russian history, this day is viewed both as a symbol of national unity and as a powerful catalyst for productive, constructive efforts toward the dynamic development of our multi-ethnic state.
All the teams did an excellent job. The calendars they created were highly original, each reflecting the unique culture of the specific people it represented. The students truly poured their hearts into their work—and in the end, friendship won the day! “I am a regular participant in events organized by the Coordination Center and the Department of the History of State and Law,” shared Matvey Bessonov, a third-year student in the Customs Affairs program. “For me, this is an opportunity to broaden my horizons and compete with other students. It’s always great to test my abilities and show what I can do!”
