On 25 January 2014 the events under the name “Day of Baikal”, organized by the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal and the Organizing Committee of the All-Russian Festival of Nature “Primeval Russia” with the support of the Representation of the Republic of Buryatia in Moscow and the society “Uryaal”, took place at the Central House of Artists.
Opening “Day of Baikal”, President of the Festival, member of the Federation Council O.Panteleev noted that the first public day of the festival is not accidentally dedicated to Lake Baikal, UNESCO World Heritage Site and the pride of our country and outside Russia.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Buryatia A.Lehatinov stressed in his speech that the people of the Baikal region always belonged to the Great Siberian Lake as a sacred object. Beauty of Baikal – is a human heritage, which is skillfully sung by Russian photographer-artists whose works are represented at the festival. But our region is rich not only by natural beauty; it is also spiritual and cultural beauty. Multinational people live around Baikal. Here at the stand of the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal there are the exhibits about the culture of old Believers “Semeiskie” and the Buryat musical culture, but all the cultural potential of Transbaikal region is impossible to present at one exhibition – it is so huge.
Head of the Society of the Buryat culture “Uryaal” B.Dugarov noted that the culture of the people of the Baikal region has developed many centuries ago, so it is necessary to maintain and introduce more people with its features.
Cosmonaut, Hero of Russia F.Yurchikhin shared his impressions of the research of Lake Baikal from space. Photographer Olga Kamenskaya held a master class on underwater photography of Baikal, noting that so far on the shores of Lake Baikal, there are places where there are hundreds of untouched kilometers. Her photos demonstrate: Baikal - a single planet, living, bright, colorful, and harsh at the same time needed in human protection.
With the framework of the festival there was a demonstration of popular scientific documentary of the FPLB “To the depths of Lake Baikal” about the results of international scientific expedition “Mir at Lake Baikal” and documentary “Beyond the Ice”, made by a film studio “Baikal Cinema” with the support of the FPLB. Movie authors Dmitry Melamed and Gayane Petrosyan told about the interesting shootings and answered questions from the audience.
In addition to the educational program of the festival many recreational activities we prepared fro the guests. On the big stage there were performances by the artists of the society “Uryaal”. Folk Buryat dance was presented by ensemble “Angara”, Dashi Nadtsalov, ethnic group “Namgar” and singer from Mongolia Uranus sang the Buryat national songs, the sound of the ancient Buryat instrument Morin Huur was demonstrated by the Buryat students.
