Working Meeting on the ‘Industrial Karelia’ Project in Pryazha

The meeting of partners and participants of the ‘Industrial Karelia: Past and Present’ project, supported by the Presidential Grants Fund, took place on August 27 in Pryazha. The aim of the project is to preserve the mining and industrial heritage and historical memory of the Republic of Karelia in order to nurture a sense of patriotism among the inhabitants of the region and to boost territorial development. Target districts of the project are Pitkyarantsky, Pryazhinsky and Suoyarvsky Districts. The meeting was held at the Ethnocultural Center of the Pryazhinsky District, the official partner of the project.

During the meeting the planned activities were discussed, above all, the area beautification of the Tulmozersky Iron Smelter. The partners are also preparing materials for local history readings and classes for schoolchildren, as well as collecting information for placards and for the book on the industrial history of target districts.

Some activities are scheduled for 2022 and will be held on the territory of Tulmozersky factory. These activities are the Family Team Competition ‘Karelian Style Fort Boyard’ and the International Song Ethnofestival ‘Singing Stones’. Besides, the members of the Leningrad Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society will conduct the speleological expedition. Following the expedition an updated ambitious route concept will be proposed for merging the museumified ruins of the Tulmozersky Iron Smelter and the Rogoselga mine into a single tour package with great educational potential.