Seven regional sports clubs, as part of the "Together for Nizhny" project, will play matches in matching uniforms celebrating the diversity of Khokhloma.

      Photo: ANO "Center 800"

      In Nizhny Novgorod a project called "Together for Nizhny" was presented, which is being held for the fifth time this year. At the center of the project are unified playing kits of Nizhny Novgorod clubs, in which teams will play home matches on dates as close as possible to 4 November — National Unity Day. The project is timed to this date for a reason: the all-Russian holiday is inspired by the events of 1612 and the Second People's Militia, organized in Nizhny Novgorod. The project brings together city clubs from different sports.

      In 2025 seven Nizhny Novgorod clubs are participating: FC Pari Nizhny Novgorod, BC Pari Nizhny Novgorod, HC Torpedo, HC Start, VC Gorky, and the futsal clubs Torpedo and Normanochka.

      As in previous years, the project combines Nizhny Novgorod culture and history with sport. This year the kit is dedicated to the variety of Khokhloma. For the first time within the project, each club's kit has its own visual solution: its own color and pattern illustrating the common idea.

      "‘Together for Nizhny’ has become for us a symbol of genuine unity that is born in joint endeavor. It unites sport, culture and history, turning our meanings into a source of inspiration for the present day. 'Together for Nizhny' is about how the sense of belonging is born from familiar things: the kit of a favorite team, a pattern known since childhood, the emotions in the stands. Over five years the project has grown into a movement; this year it continues to develop and includes several directions: in addition to the traditional kits for clubs, a line of branded merchandise is planned, collaborations with restaurants and a number of other events," said Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Oleg Berkovich.

      "Over five years the project has become one of the most anticipated events for our sports fans. A unified kit — always with a special local design — unites clubs and fans with a common idea, once again emphasizing that the people of Nizhny are proud of their homeland, its traditions and history and are always united in their desire to support their own. We are one team not only in sport, but in life," said Minister of Sport of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Dmitry Kabailo.

      This year the theme of the project is the diversity of Khokhloma painting styles. Khokhloma is depicted on the equipment of all the city's sports teams. But not the familiar style known to everyone, rather unique examples from various collections and eras — from the 1930s to the 21st century — created by the artists of the "Khokhlomskaya Rospis" factory in Semyonov.

      The HC Torpedo kit uses an ornament from the "Zarya" collection, which was developed in 2021 by Nelya Ushakova. The color scheme is monochrome, with the main colors being blue and white.

      The ornament from the "Lily of the Valley" collection became the basis for the kit of the men's futsal club Torpedo. The composition is dominated by the color of fresh grass, the gold of leaves and white blooming lilies of the valley. The ornament was created in 1993 by Tatyana Baranova specifically for the legendary Russian singer Lyudmila Zykina.

      The FC Pari Nizhny Novgorod kit is adorned with Khokhloma painting from the "Snegiri" (Bullfinches) collection. The composition includes succinctly stylized birds and monochrome colors that look mysterious and stylish. The painting is by Valentina Shvetsova.

      The ornament on the VC Gorky kit is executed in the traditional "Kudrina" painting, drawn with a fine line using a free brush technique — a painting method that emphasizes the shape of any item. This ornament was developed for the "Retro" collection by Irina Frolova in 1993.

      The BC Pari Nizhny Novgorod kit is decorated with an ornament from the 1932 collection. It was developed by the founder of the Khokhloma painting school in Semyonov, Georgy Matveev. Even now, nearly a century later, the design looks fresh and modern.

      The design on the HC Start kit represents lace woven from golden lines and curls, accentuated by varied highlights on a festive black and red background. The ornament was developed in 1960 by Alexander Tyukalov.

      The kit of the women's futsal club Normanochka is adorned with exotic flowers. They were created in 2022 by Tatyana Maslenikova. The traditional look of background painting in a new modern interpretation gives the composition novelty and uniqueness, and the bright pink color grabs attention.

      "The 'Together for Nizhny' project for us is not just a combination of sport and culture, but also an example of how the traditions of Khokhloma painting can be organically integrated into modernity. We sought to show that Khokhloma is not only a craft but a visual language that can speak to the contemporary viewer. Inspired by ornaments created by great masters and honored artists of Russia, we transferred them to the sports kits of Nizhny Novgorod teams. Each of the seven collections, each kit — is a reflection of the character and variety of Khokhloma, with its unique patterns symbolizing both cultural heritage and the strength of unity that we feel as a team and as a city," said the General Director of ANO "Khokhloma" Sofya Yudina.

      In the "Together for Nizhny" kit the clubs will play at least one home match each:

      — 5 November: BC Pari Nizhny Novgorod vs. CSKA (Moscow);

      — 5 November: women's futsal club Normanochka vs. OrelGU-KPRF (Orel);

      — 7 November: men's futsal club Torpedo vs. New Generation (Syktyvkar);

      — 8 November: FC Pari Nizhny Novgorod vs. Rubin (Kazan);

      — 8 November: volleyball club Gorky vs. Zenit St. Petersburg;

      — 12 November: HC Torpedo vs. Sochi;

      — 26 November: HC Start vs. Kuzbass (Kemerovo).

      For the first time in recent years, the clubs' matches in the "Together for Nizhny" kits will be thematic: fan events will be organized at the city's arenas, games will take place with appropriate visual design, etc. Updated official mascots of the Nizhny Novgorod Region — the fawn NiNo and Gor the woodpecker — will participate in a number of matches. They will help create a festive atmosphere and, together with Nizhny Novgorod residents, support their favorite teams.

      In addition, this year the project will receive a new embodiment — "Together for Nizhny. The Region of Play."

      Within the initiative it is planned to hold matches and events for fans with the participation of Nizhny Novgorod clubs in towns across the region. More detailed information about this project will follow.

      "Last year we went beyond the home court of one of our professional teams and staged a women's volleyball match in Vyksa. It was a successful experience; now we are scaling it up into a full-fledged project. We are united with our fans across the entire region," emphasized the General Director of ANO "CURS" Maksim Gafurov.

      The project's photoshoot took place in seven restaurants in Nizhny Novgorod, whose interiors match the color of each kit, and the atmosphere of some establishments echoes the spirit of Khokhloma. Khokhloma items that inspired the kit were used during the shoot.

      In addition, after the thematic matches in the "Together for Nizhny" kit in November, various new formats and additional events involving the project organizers and clubs are planned.

      The project is being implemented by ANO "Center 800", ANO "Khokhloma", ANO "Center for Management and Development of Sport in the Nizhny Novgorod Region" together with the region's sports clubs, with the support of the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Tourism and Crafts of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

      Source — ANO "Center 800"

      News source:

      ANO "Center 800"