The tourist route "Weekends with Khokhloma" has been recognized as the winner of the National Award in the field of folk arts and crafts.

      Photo: Press Service of the Federation Council

      The tourist route "Weekends with Khokhloma" has been recognized as the winner of the National Award of the Russian Federation in the field of folk arts and crafts. The solemn award ceremony took place on July 14 in Moscow at the Federation Council venue. The honorary award was presented by the Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko and the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov. The award was established by the Government of the Russian Federation. The operator for the preparation and conduct of the event is the Roscongress Foundation. "The idea for the award was born in the Commission for the Development of Creative Industries and Folk Arts and Crafts under the Federation Council, which includes many representatives of the industry. We proceeded from the understanding that people who preserve the traditions of folk art and unique centuries-old heritage deserve the highest public and state recognition," Valentina Matviyenko said. The Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov emphasized the systematic support for the industry, noting its significant potential and sustainable growth. "Today, folk arts and crafts represent 380 companies, nearly 5,000 people working in these enterprises, and more than one and a half thousand individual entrepreneurs. We are consistently increasing funding: this year, the volume of support has been increased almost threefold," he noted. The Minister also announced the maintenance of the current level of state support for the next two years and outlined strategic directions: training new personnel, developing connections between traditions and modernity, as well as integrating folk arts and crafts products into the urban environment and consumer goods. The Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin emphasized that the high assessment at the federal level confirms the region's status as one of the key centers for the preservation and development of folk arts and crafts. "The victory of the route 'Weekends with Khokhloma' is the merit of our masters, keepers of the unique traditions of the Semenov land, and the entire team working on the development of the region's tourist potential. Today we see a concrete result of the synergy of culture and tourism: the number of visitors to the route increased by 11% by the end of 2025, which is more than 28,000 people. We will continue to create conditions for as many guests as possible to discover the wealth of Nizhny Novgorod crafts," the head of the region noted. The route "Weekends with Khokhloma" allows tourists in the Semenov district to immerse themselves in the history of the emergence and technology of Khokhloma painting. Guests visit iconic showcase sites: the Museum and Tourist Center "Golden Khokhloma," the interactive museum "House of Semen the Spoon Maker," and the "Khokhloma Painting" factory. The program includes interactive excursions and master classes on painting traditional wooden spoons and matryoshkas. The Minister of Tourism and Crafts of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Sergey Yakovlev added that the development of places of traditional craft existence is an opportunity to enhance the tourist attractiveness of the region. This task is set for the Nizhny Novgorod region as part of the work on the implementation of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality."

      The regional department reminded that the prototype of the federal award was the regional award in the field of folk arts and crafts "Na_Rodnom," created by the government of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Let us remind you that the national project "Tourism and Hospitality," initiated by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, is aimed at developing tourist infrastructure, training personnel, promoting travel across the country, and improving service quality. Within its framework, five federal projects are being implemented: "Creation of accommodation facilities, infrastructure, and attractions," "5 seas and Lake Baikal," "Production of domestic products for the tourism industry," "Tourist attractiveness of the country," and "Personnel for tourism."