Cases

Case Study 1.
“My home is here, in Tulun!”

Cultural practice as an instrument for purposeful development of a local area and its community.

Case Study 2. “Bear Games”

Cultural practice initiated by an event or experience.

Case Study 3.
“Creative projects of Totma”

Cultural practice inspired by the redevelopment of a public space.

To the Roots of Russia’s Stonecutting Art

Kolyvan village is known as a national centre for stonecutting with a 200-year long history.

Country Estate Bureau

In the town of Kyshtym, there is the historic estate of the Demidovs, one of the most prominent aristocratic families of imperial Russia, known as the “White House”.

Festival of Urban Culture ARTEMOFF

The name of the town, Uryupinsk, is synonymous with provincialism, often used to describe a remote location “in the middle of nowhere”.

Pinezhye Fairytale

Pinezhsky district has a distinctive character, derived from its traditions, customs, and unique local folklore.

Rural tourism – from village to village

The fall of the Soviet Union precipitated the collapse of the “Saransky” collective farm in the village of Ilyichevo, which had employed the majority of local residents.

Culture Code of Pustozyorsk

Pustozyorsk, the first Russian settlement beyond the Arctic Circle, is part of a tourism programme known as the “Silver Necklace of Russia”.

An Edgy Museum

The village of Cherny Otrog has been an agricultural community since its foundation.

The Tree of Life

Local communities have been facing high unemployment after industrial plant shutdowns in the area.

Pristine Yamal:
one step back, two steps forward

The Shuryshkarsky region is a unique territory within the highly industrialized Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district.

“The Cultural Mosaic”. Case Studies.

Cultural opportunities are proving to be a vital resource for community development. In Russia too, there have been many successful examples of cultural practices driving economic growth for entire regions. This is possible largely due to the institutional support of such initiatives.

We present below some of the most interesting examples of regional cultural practices, supported by the Foundation in recent years. All deal with complex processes and universal concepts such as values, traditions, identity, mentality, ancestral ties, and collective memory. People can relate to projects rooted in culture as they affect their lives and communities. From revival of forgotten traditions and restoration of iconic landmarks to creation of new communication practices, these projects encourage us to look for new meanings in the familiar and to treat our environment as a possible foundation for future proposals. In this way, a cultural practice can be a mechanism for building greater social cohesion and economic vibrancy.

In many instances, cultural projects require expert examination or consultation (e.g., archeological or historical) and recruitment of qualified specialists into project teams. Yet, a critical factor for a project’s success and ongoing sustainability is community participation at all stages of decision-making and implementation. This process of inclusivity helps develop a shared vision whether the project was first initiated by a local community or an external party. Once responsibility shifts to local residents and turns them from passive observers into active participants, the practice is likely to take root and become a strong driver for economic development in the area.

We have broadly grouped our case studies into three categories, based on what inspired a desire for change.