Visitors to the “Picturesque Russia” exhibition. Photo: Russian Center for Science and Culture
The RGS photo exhibition «Picturesque Russia» opened on Geographer’s Day in New Delhi, India. The exhibition features photographs by winners and laureates of the National Crystal Compass Award, which depict Russia’s unique nature, cultural heritage, and the lives of various peoples. The exhibition showcases the vast geography of the regions — from the Arctic and the northern seas to the mountains of the North Caucasus, from historical cities to remote protected areas.
«We continue to introduce residents of various countries to the best projects of one of the world’s major geographical awards. And here, in New Delhi, we are showcasing the real Russia — its nature, history and culture — through the works of talented contemporary photographers, » noted Ivan Chaika, chairman of the organizing committee of the National Crystal Compass Award and an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Among the works on display are photographs by the renowned director and traveler Leonid Kruglov, taken during the work on the documentary film «To the Arctic». Expedition footage by Ingo Joachim Weiss, which conveys the atmosphere of the Arctic and the harsh beauty of the northern seas. Works by Stanislav Trofimov from the project «The Wonderful Island of Valaam» about the natural and spiritual heritage of the archipelago. The exhibition also features large-scale landscapes by Vladimir Alekseev from the «Soul of Russia» project, research photographs by Yuri Stolypin about Lake Elton, as well as works by Kamil Nureev, Sergei Cherkay, and Danil Khusainov.
The exhibition was opened by the organizing committee of the award, the Russian Geographical Society, and the «Chaika» production center, together with the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in India. The head of the representative office, Elena Remizova, emphasized the importance of developing professional and educational ties between geographers from Russia and India, as well as holding such events for Indian youth.
The project has previously been presented in Russia, France, Luxembourg, India, China, and Pakistan. The photographs of the exhibition participants were also included in Ivan Chaika and Evgenia Kambarova’s book «Picturesque Russia», which was recognized as one of the best books of the year according to the Association of Book Publishers of Russia.
The National Crystal Compass Award is awarded annually under the auspices of the Russian Geographical Society for outstanding achievements and scientific research in the field of geography, ecology, and related sciences, or for a significant contribution to the preservation of natural, historical and cultural heritage, technological developments, and the development of society. It is one of the main and most prestigious geographical awards in the world. Over 13 years, nearly 5,000 creative teams from 51 countries have been nominated for the award. In the special «Public Recognition» category, where laureates are determined through online voting, nearly 1.2 million people expressed their preferences.