On April 28, 2025, the conference “Formation of Russian and Moscow Cultural Identity” was held in Moscow with the support of. The event was dedicated to issues of cultural identity in a multipolar world (the project is being implemented with the support of Grants from the Mayor of Moscow for socially oriented NGOs of the Committee for Public Relations and Youth Policy of the City of Moscow).
The conference, organized by the International Women’s Union, brought together offline and online participants — experts, deputies, cultural figures, representatives of NGOs, tourism and education. The event became a platform for an in-depth analysis of Moscow’s role as a center for heritage preservation and a driver of new trends in a multipolar world.
Opening of the conference: greetings and key accents
Moderator of the conference, Alfiya Ravilyevna Amirova (President of the International Women’s Union), opened the event, emphasizing its importance for strengthening national identity. Welcoming remarks were made by:
Yana Valeryevna Lantratova, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, noted the importance of dialogue between the government, society and cultural institutions. (Video Message)<
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- Svetlana Vladimirovna Akulova, a deputy of the Moscow City Duma, emphasized the role of the capital in preserving interethnic harmony.Sergey Sergeevich Anufrienko, director of the Moscow House of Nationalities State Budgetary Institution, emphasized that “Moscow is a micromodel of Russia, where traditions and innovations create a unique cultural code.”Welcome letter from Elena Nikolaevna Yamshchikova (Moscow City Duma deputy) The moderator read out, highlighting the thesis on the need to integrate young people into the processes of preserving identity.
Plenary presentations: from theory to practice
Introductory report
Alexander Viktorovich Solonkin, Chairman of the Expert Council on Youth Policy, Culture, Education and Child Safety of the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, Public and Religious Associations, presented the report “The formation of Russian and Moscow cultural identity.” He presented urban studies as a key tool for shaping Moscow’s cultural identity.
Moscow strives to become a “city for people”, where traditions and innovations create a comfortable environment for life, work and creativity. Urban transformations strengthen its image as a dynamic metropolis, open to dialogue between cultures and generations.
“Modern urbanism is not concrete and glass, but the language that the city speaks to its residents.: “You’re important. Your opinion, comfort and inspiration are our goal.”
Block 1: Cultural identity in the 21st century
Ekaterina Andreevna Velichkina (media blogger, audience 2.5 million subscribers)
Topic: “Moscow’s digital code: media ethics and the formation of cultural identity in the online space.”
Velichkina revealed and presented a report on how the digital space shapes Moscow’s cultural code.
“Cultural identity is a living dialogue where hashtags become historical sources and likes become a tool for preserving memory. Digitally, Moscow is a city where everyone can become a co—author of its cultural code.”
“Digital tools are a bridge between generations. They turn the past into an interactive present, and users into keepers of the heritage.”
2. Alexander Vladimirovich Raptovsky (Honored Builder of Russia, Director of the Museum of Amazing Stones)
Topic: “Geological heritage as the basis of cultural identity”.
Raptovsky presented the Amazing Stones Park project, a unique landscape geopark in Moscow that combines science, culture and tourism.
“The Amazing Stones Park is not just a museum. It is a bridge between the past and the future, where every touch of ancient minerals becomes a dialogue with the history of the Earth.”
Raptovsky invited interested partners to join the development of the project in order to turn it into a key point of cultural and scientific tourism in the capital. The project has already become a platform for more than 20 educational programs and has entered the top 5 new tourist locations in Moscow according to the version of the portal “Guide to Russia”.
Block 2: Creative industries and design
Vasilenko Anna Vladimirovna, Advisor to the Command, Central Office of the Russian Ministry of Defense
Topic: “The role of creative industries in youth policy.”
Elena Konstantinovna Kalgina, Statesman and public figure, expert in the field of youth policy and security. Vice-President of the NGO “International Union of Women”.
Elena covered the topic: “Moscow’s Creative Industries as Drivers of the Cultural Code: Fashion, Cinema, Animation, and New Media in Shaping Russian Identity.”
Anastasia Aleksandrovna Zavodchikova, Head of Marketing, Advertising and PR Department. National Institute of Design. She presented the theme: “Design as a tool for the preservation and transformation of cultural identity: the experience of the National Institute of Design”
Zavodchikova showed how elements of traditional ornament are integrated into urban design.
Block 3: Russian language and linguistic diversity
Galina Vasilyevna Merzlikina, art critic, curator, journalist, expert in the field of contemporary art. Merzlikina spoke on the topic “The Russian language as the basis of unity and support for linguistic diversity,”
stating: “The Russian language is a bridge between 190 peoples of Russia. But it is also important to preserve the languages of small ethnic groups through literature, folklore festivals and educational programs.”
Block 4: Tourism and local history
Alexandra Dmitrievna Nikanorova, PhD in Geography, Deputy Head of the Moscow State University Department, Chairman of the Community of Wives of Russian Diplomats. She chose the topic of her speech: “Tourism as a strategic basis for the development of Moscow’s cultural potential.”
Nikanorova suggested creating “thematic routes that reveal the multilayered nature of the capital: from merchant estates to technoparks.”
Maria Santiagovna Valdez Odriosola, Member of the working group of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on the development of the draft law “On State support of fine arts.” The winner of the State Scholarship for Outstanding Cultural and Artistic Figures, candidate of Cultural Studies, certified tour guide, expert of the contest “Guides of Meanings” of the Rosmolodezh program “More than a journey”, vividly and interestingly highlighted the topic: “New approaches to organizing sightseeing activities in Moscow on the example of creative local history”.
….Over the past three years, more than 500 people have become participants in author’s excursions. The methodological recommendations were actively used when choosing the forms of presentation of the material in the excursions that the author of the project conducted within the framework of the International Exhibition-Forum “Russia”. According to the results of the exhibition, the author entered the top 200 best guides of the exhibition…
Block 5: Moscow is a symbol of unity
The video of the International Photo Contest “Mom and children in national costumes” became the emotional culmination of the block.
Kamil Gazimagomedovich Landa, Doctor of Political Sciences. An expert of the International Discussion Club “VISION 3000”. Topic: “The metropolitan metropolis as a trend maker of intercultural and interethnic relations”
Landa noted: “Moscow is a city where holidays of different nations and faiths are celebrated with equal respect. This kind of coexistence is our strength.”
Yulia I. Zhelvakova, entrepreneur, public figure, founder of cultural projects. Topic: “Moscow museums are keepers of spiritual and moral values.”
“Moscow museums are treasuries where artifacts reflecting the centuries—old history, faith, traditions and achievements of the Russian people are kept.”
Block 6: Volunteerism and social initiatives
Nadezhda Petrovna Lebedeva, artist, cultural critic, curator of international projects. The topic of the presentation is “Creative industries and volunteerism as part of the self-determination of Muscovites and Russians in general.”
Modern society is increasingly turning to creative industries and volunteerism as tools for personal and social development. These areas not only create new economic opportunities, but also become an important part of citizens’ self-determination, allowing them to unleash their creative potential, strengthen their cultural identity, and implement socially significant initiatives. Moscow, as one of the world’s leading megacities, demonstrates successful practices in this area that can serve as a reference point for other regions of Russia.
After the speakers’ speech, the conference participants asked their questions and voiced their proposals, which will also be included in the final resolution.
Conference results: resolution and prospects
At the final session, Solonkin Alexander Viktorovich summed up the results and presented a draft resolution of an educational nature for distribution to relevant organizations.
All speakers and guests received certificates of participants, and the conference materials will be published on the website of the NGO “International Union of Women”.
After a rich program of presentations, the conference participants immersed themselves in the atmosphere of live communication — the networking session became a space where ideas were transformed into plans, and theories were put into practice.
The uniqueness of the project
The conference stood out:
A variety of topics ranging from geology to digitalization.
Practice—oriented approach – each report was accompanied by case studies.
Inclusivity — online participation allowed more listeners to connect.
Thanks
The organizers thank you:
GBU “Moscow House of Nationalities” for providing an excellent venue and assistance in holding the conference.
Information partners are the Embassy Life publication and the VISION 3000 club.
Speakers for the depth of their presentations.
Photo report, video recordings and resolution are available at the link: NGO “International Union of Women”.
#Moscovidentity2025 #Cultural Russia #Heritage and Innovations
Stay tuned for new projects! Together we preserve traditions and create the future.
Media contacts:
Marat Shakirzyanov: +7 968 441-84-51
maratpr@mail.ru
Organizer:
International Women’s Union
With the support of the Moscow Public Relations and Youth Policy Committee.
P.S. The participants of the online format noted the convenience of the platform and the ability to ask questions in real time. See you at new events!
Full recording of the conference: “Formation of Russian and Moscow cultural identity” .
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