Photo by RIA Novosti

Siberia’s Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) officially opened the exhibition in the Russian pavilion of EXPO 2010 in Shanghai on Sept. 6, 2010. The coldest and biggest Russian region showcases diamonds, gold, mammoth ivory, craftwork and other valuable minerals in crystal-shaped boxes.

«The leading place in the exposition is the republic’s Land Olonkho innovation project, which is being built on the idea of the unique cultures of the Far-Eastern peoples, environment diversity and nature preservation,» Sergei Neustroev, republic deputy minister of foreign relations, said.

Vladimir Strashko, the commissioner general of the Russian Federation at the exhibition, highlighted that Yakutia’s exposition definitely «illustrates all aspects of urban civilization in conditions of the extreme North, provides an opportunity to share the experience of urban development in this unique natural environment.»

Besides, Yakutia’s exhibition give EXPO visitors a chance to embark a virtual travel to the coldest land and learn more about the culture of the Sakha (Yakut) people by watching paintings from the National Museum of Fine Arts.

The Russian EXPO pavilion guests are also invited to visit the concert of national musicians and dancers on the Day of Yakutia — Sept. 18. Yakutia’s exposition ends its work on Sept. 20.

Photos presented by Yakutia’s Ministry of Foreign Relations.