The Jubilee XX International Folk Art Festival-Contest "Crystal Key" will take place in Sartaсov on July 26.

      On July 26th, in Sartakovo village, Nizhny Novgorod region, at the Berezopolyye Museum, the "Crystal Key" Festival will take place. It will involve over 300 participants of various genres and creative disciplines. This information is provided by the Ministry of Culture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The festival is organized by the religious organization "Nizhny Novgorod Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church" (Moscow Patriarchate), the Ministry of Culture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Nizhny Novgorod City Administration, the Regional Department of Cultural and Educational Projects, and the Berezopolyye Museum and Exhibition Complex. The festival's founder is Vladimir Isayev, an honorary citizen of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, a statesman, and a public figure of Russia.

      This year, the "Crystal Key" will celebrate two anniversaries: 20 years since the first festival and 20 years since the consecration of the Holy Prince Vladimir Church located on Sartakovo territory. On July 26th, from 9:00 to 11:00, a Divine Liturgy will be held in the church.

      At 12:00, the festival will officially open with an award ceremony for the winners of the "Crystal Key" competition and the presentation of special diplomas named after Andrey Saveliev and Biser Kirov.

      At 12:30, a gala concert featuring competition winners and other artists will begin. Special guest performances on stage will include the Cossack Song and Dance Ensemble "Kazachiy Khutor," the honored folk art group "Prjaliţa," Darya Sikal’skaya, and guests from Serbia, Kazakhstan, and Abkhazia.

      Throughout the day, an exhibition-fair of decorative and applied arts will be operated, offering masterclasses in gold embroidery, weaving on tablets and berdyshka (woven belt), spindle weaving, folk doll twisting, beaded loom weaving demonstrations, and more.

      Additionally, at 11:00, an exhibition titled "Prominent Russian Artists in Sartakovo Art Gallery" will open for all festival guests. The event will conclude at 15:00 with a performance by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Marina Devyatova.