28,000 people participated in the gastronomic festival "Arzamassky Goose" with the interactive program "Alexandrov Road."

      Photo: Anastasia Ponomareva

      About 28,000 residents of Nizhny Novgorod and regional visitors participated in the gastronomic festival "Arzamas Goose" with the interactive program "Alexandrov Road," held on July 12 in Arzamas. This was announced by the Minister of Tourism and Industry of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Sergey Yakovlev.

      "Arzamas is soulful and tasty! After a four-year break, with support from the national project 'Tourism and Hospitality,' we hosted the gastronomic festival 'Arzamas Goose' with the interactive program 'Alexandrov Road.' Festival guests enjoyed exquisite dishes prepared by top chefs from across Russia, took part in various entertainments, immersed themselves in an atmosphere of beautiful music, and watched an exciting equestrian show," said Sergey Yakovlev.

      Organizers include the government of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, the administration of Arzamas, with the assistance of the ANO 'Center 800.'

      Several venues operated as part of the festival. On the culinary stage throughout the day, chefs from different Russian cities performed, each preparing a regional dish. The host was chef Andrey Sulima.

      A lecture series for chefs, restaurateurs, food enthusiasts, journalists, and bloggers took place in the gastro-laboratory. This experimental platform featured chefs from Arzamas, Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod, and Ryazan, preparing dishes from ingredients brought from their regions. The moderators were food journalist Roman Loshmanov and restaurant critic Katerina Smirnova.

      The festival also featured a food court, a farmers' fair, and craftspeople's stalls. On the musical stage, performances were held by Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas groups: "Vodovata Boys," "Otrada," Risha, "BrassBurgers," among others. In the Monastic Garden, a children's program with cooking masterclasses was organized.

      The highlight of the day was the equestrian show "Alexandrov Road. For Labor and Fatherland." A team of professional riders and reenactors in historical costumes demonstrated high-level horse training, tricks, and skill in riding. Spectators could travel back in time to see Emperor Peter the Great, Prince Alexander Nevsky, War of 1812 hero Pyotr Bagration, and knights of the Order of Alexander Nevsky from different eras. A special segment of the show was dedicated to the Great Patriotic War.

      The show was organized with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, with organizers including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia, the Ministry of Tourism and Industry of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, the Arzamas City Administration, the Church of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky at MGIMO, and the Foundation for the Preservation and Promotion of the Heritage of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky, "Alexandrov Gora."

      The national project "Tourism and Hospitality," initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is a successor to the "Tourism and Hospitality Industry" national project. It aims to develop infrastructure, manufacture equipment, train personnel for tourism, promote travel in Russia, and ensure quality service and safe, convenient trips. The national project includes five federal programs: "Creation of Accommodation Infrastructure and Attraction Points," "Five Seas and Lake Baikal," "Manufacturing Domestic Products for the Tourism Industry," "Tourism Attractiveness of the Country," and "Tourism Workforce."