The opening ceremony of the VIII All-Russian Nature Festival “Pristine Russia” in the Central Exhibition Hall "Manege" brought together representatives of government, science, culture and the environmental community. Olga Plyamina, Director General of the V.I. Vernadsky Nongovernmental Ecological Foundation and a member of the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, was among the guests of honor.

The scale of the exhibition is impressive: the exhibition presents works made in 56 specially protected natural areas – from the Commander Islands to the protected boreal taiga forests of Yugyd Va Park (Komi Republic). The festival, held under the patronage of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, was opened with a welcoming speech by the Council’s Chairman Valentina Matvienko. In her speech, she noted that “Indeed, the nature of Russia is a whole universe. Of course, there is no such beauty, such wealth, such a palette of colors anywhere else in the world... A lifetime is not enough to visit all these wonderful places. But thanks to our festival, everyone has the opportunity, at least for a moment, to be among the untouched nature, to see the inhabitants of protected forests, polar ice, and the depths of the sea.”

“For our Foundation, Pristine Russia Festival is not only an exhibition, but first of all a synergy of beauty and knowledge,” said Olga Plyamina, General Director of the Vernadsky Foundation. – That is why this year we have decided to turn our traditional Foundation Day, which will be held on February 27, into a real “Nature Reserve Expedition” for schoolchildren and all Festival guests. Together with our scholarship holders, scientists and representatives of nature reserves, we have prepared interactive lectures, games and workshops that will show that ecology is a fascinating science about the future. We invite everyone to the “Manege” - those who wants to embark on this educational journey and see with their own eyes how Vernadsky's ideas live in the projects of young researchers.”

In 2026, the Festival aims to create a platform for a confidential conversation about the fragility of the world, nature conservation, the Russian nature reserve system and the principles of ethical work of photographers.

The Festival traditionally unites its key partners: the Ministry of Culture, the Russian Geographical Society, Russian Railways JSC, Rosatom State Corporation, as well as leading museums and public and nongovernmental organizations. The V.I. Vernadsky Nongovernmental Ecological Foundation is a long-time friend of the Festival, which traditionally holds environmental awareness events within the framework of the Festival.

The Vernadsky Foundation’s program at the Festival is available on the official website. The events will be held on four interactive platforms and will include meetings with the heads of nature reserves, scientific games, master classes and film screenings.