The role of cultural heritage in creating social innovations that improve quality of life was discussed at the XI St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum. During the session "Cultural Heritage as a Driver of Social Innovation," Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District Lyubov Sovershaeva presented successful practices of the interregional tourism project "Silver Necklace of Russia."
The project, which unites initiatives to preserve and revive the historical and cultural potential of the Northwest, continues to actively develop and attract new participants.
"Today, the Silver Necklace of Russia project includes more than 10 subprojects and initiatives. And new, diverse proposals are constantly being received from participants across various fields, from those who want to contribute to the preservation and development of their small homelands. The most important thing we emphasize is that the proposed initiatives should bring results and benefit the territories and the people living there," Sovershaeva emphasized.
The presentation focused on the project"s key initiatives, such as the annual election of the Silver Necklace capital (Tikhvin, Leningrad Region, received this status in 2025), and the creative project "Fairy Tale Laboratory," in which teams of specialists help small territories unlock their tourism potential by creating new attractions and routes.
The session culminated in the presentation of the new graphic novel, "Silver Necklace." This engaging publication introduces readers to the riches of the northwestern regions and inspires travel.
As a reminder, the Murmansk Region is an active participant in the Silver Necklace of Russia project. Travelers can obtain a special "Silver Necklace Tourist Passport" at the regional Tourist Information Center. Eleven museums in the Murmansk Region, including the Regional Museum of Local History, the Precious Stone Museum in Monchegorsk, and the Apatit Museum and Exhibition Center, are connected to the "Travelers" Club" loyalty program, where guests can earn points and redeem them for prizes for visiting cultural sites in the Silver Necklace regions. The project"s federal website features two national routes across the Kola Peninsula—"Polar Kaleidoscope" and "From Barents to Bely"—which contribute to increased awareness of the region and increased tourist traffic.
/Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region, based on materials from the official website of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District/
