Pechora storytelling conference

nenets autonomous okrug

Inspired by Maremiana and Oksino residents

Pechora river is the largest one in NAO and many settlements were built on its vast arctic shores, including capital city Naryan-Mar. Long time ago, there were a lot of activity here, including trading, fishing and cultural. Museum is heavily interested in researching traditional folk heritage and establishes conferences of all kinds on the regular basis. One of the most interesting for us was the study of the storytelling traditions, which includes bylinas, laments, ditties, carols and fairy tales.

We had been asked not only to make design, but also take a part in a two-day conference which included official talks and exhibition to one of villages, which is famous for its folklore traditions, Oksino.

Client: NAO Museum Association

Work: Branding, communication, talks, expedition

2023

Key image of the conference

Day one: conference

First day was official. Guests shared their thoughts and experience on working with storytelling in modern museums together with accurate sticking to traditional methods and historic research. Many interesting idead had been shared.

We fantasized on using AI that could transcribe the people speech into oldstyled carols and songs related to the ones Pechora style. Natalia talked about using NFT. We'd call it a bingo in terms of using modern trends, actually.

Igor Makovsky

ART DIRECTION, DESIGNER

Day two: visiting Oksino

Together with a group of ethnographers, historians, and the folk singer, we launched to Oksino, ethnic village that used to tend not to forget the traditions of Pechora storytelling completely. We had a walk across the snow-covered lonely village and headed to the local museum where me and Natalia had moderated a talk with the local residents on their thoughts and memories on the topic. We found many ideas, found new friends and content for the future work.

Maremiana goes online:

Nao museum association has a long read on the conference
Rodina media with its report on the event quite concisely
Official report on the administraion resource has an article, too

The conference held in Oksino and the interest shown by its participants has prompted us to consider launching work on branding Oksino itself. We have already submitted several grant applications to allow us to develop tourist infrastructure and make the village more attractive for visitors. We hope, Natalya and Igor will assist us in finding graphic solutions and marketing goals.