The 90th International Traditional Festival of the North and the 65th Festival of the North for Students, one of the main sporting events of the Kola Arctic, were solemnly closed in the Ice Sports Palace of Murmansk. The Governor of the Murmansk Region Andrey Chibis took part in the event.
In his welcoming speech, the head of the region emphasized the importance of the Polar Olympics as a symbol of unity and the preservation of sporting traditions.
"The Festival of the North is more than just a competition. It is a history that we are proud of and a future that we are creating together. Thanks to you – athletes, coaches, volunteers and our partners – the Polar Olympics are developing, becoming brighter and larger every year, just like our Murmansk Region. Thank you, friends, for unforgettable emotions, love for sports and strength of spirit!" said Andrey Chibis, noting that the anniversary Festival of the North united about 30 sports and physical education events.
In 2025, for the first time, the Polar Olympics included all-Russian figure skating competitions, Russian championships in winter swimming, sports tourism and amateur cycling. Among the key and most spectacular sporting events was the 51st Murmansk Ski Marathon of the Russialoppet series, which brought together more than two thousand participants. In total, 6.5 thousand athletes from 70 regions of Russia, as well as from the Republic of Belarus, Germany and Australia competed for the awards of the Festival of the North. 645 sets of medals and 24 cups were awarded, 402 awards were won by representatives of the Murmansk Region.
At the closing ceremony of the Festival of the North, according to established tradition, a parade of athletes took place. Northerners honored hockey players, snowboarders, natural urbanists, figure skaters, skiers, biathletes, representatives of sailing, sled dog and cycling sports.
A special moment of the program was the summing up and award ceremony. On the stage of the Ice Palace, Governor Andrei Chibis presented the Gratitude of the President of Russia to the coach of the Russian national freestyle team Maxim Mikhailov and thanked him for his dedication and significant contribution to the training of the strongest athletes. In addition, athletes and coaches of the Kola Arctic region – winners and prize winners of the all-Russian competitions of the 2024/2025 season, winners of the Northern Festival and the Northern Festival of Students – were awarded. Absolute Champions Cups were won by Darina Makusheva and Artem Prokofiev – winners of the luge competitions, members of the Russian national team, as well as the strongest speed skaters Ksenia Korzhova and Anna Kuprikova.
The festive program continued with a colorful performance that united the past, present and future of the Festival of the North under the slogan "Continuity of Generations." The ceremony ended with a large-scale flag show and the symbolic extinguishing of the 2025 Polar Olympics flame.
