International Creative Initiative “Belt of Peace”

Place and time: countries of the world and regions of Russia, ongoing.

Aim of the project: to bring together and develop the distinctive cultural practices of small towns and rural areas by creating the “Belt of Peace” brand — a symbol of cultural code and life path, of peace, creativity and the common ground shared by different peoples.

The “Belt of Peace” is a public project devoted to uniting peoples through traditional craft, the symbolism of peace and the continuity of cultures. It began as a creative action in 2024 in the village of Vacha, Nizhny Novgorod Region, at the Zemskaya School — a community space where historical memory and craft traditions are carefully preserved. It was there that the idea was born of a symbolic Belt woven by people from different regions and countries.

Each fragment of the Belt is an original work 10 by 20 centimetres, made by hand and carrying the cultural code of a people, community or region. These are not merely artworks but messages of peace, accord and harmony. Craftspeople, artisans, artists, schoolchildren and community representatives from across Russia and abroad have taken part.

The project is not only a collection of works but also an occasion for masters to meet and discuss how to bring together socially active citizens and creative professionals for the development of their territories, and how folk crafts revive those territories. It is a platform for scaling up socio-cultural practices and for presenting the work of creative communities.

The project includes travelling exhibitions of the fragments, board games and quests based on them, master classes and round tables on the role of crafts in the development of territories and on support for craftspeople.

The “Belt of Peace” now includes more than 100 fragments from 23 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as from Zambia, India, Turkmenistan and Tunisia. Some fragments are presented online, some are kept in the permanent exhibition at the Zemskaya School in the Vacha Municipal District, and some travel as part of the exhibition of the World Peoples Assembly.

Key events of the project:

• exhibitions of the “Belt of Peace” at international events of the World Peoples Assembly;
• exhibitions in the regions of the Russian Federation and in other countries;
• educational events on the traditions and cultural codes of peoples and territories;
• round tables and sessions on the living heritage of peoples, on traditions, crafts, cultural codes and continuity between generations.

Expected results:

• establishing “Houses of the Belt of Peace” in different territories;
• expanding the exhibition of the fragments;
• restoring respect for the work of craftspeople;
• engaging young people in craft;
• developing the emotional intelligence and creative thinking of participants;
• supporting local territorial brands;
• creating a line of souvenir products;
• developing tourist routes;
• building a global community of participants;
• developing a new area of public diplomacy — creative diplomacy.

Organisers: the International Union of Non-Governmental Organisations “World Peoples Assembly” and the Academy of Modern Education.

Project channels: VKontakte, Telegram.