Mayak: Presentation of a Unique Book “Traditional Udmurt Wedding”

02/11/2020 20:00

On November 2, the “Ludorvay” Architectural and ethnographic Museum-reserve hosted the presentation of the book-album “Traditional Udmurt Wedding”. The book was published as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Udmurtia and is a part of the project “Weddings of the Peoples of the World: Cultural Heritage”.

“I want to thank everyone who took part in the creation of the book: the scientific Director (Zagrebin A. E.), translators, proof-readers, artist, employees of three museums – this is a huge work! I thank everyone who took part in the shooting - the Udmurt state folk song and dance theatre “Aikai” and the ensemble “Azves Nyuzha”, the staff of the architectural and ethnographic Museum “Ludorvay”. This book will be the first in a series of literature about national wedding traditions,” - said Denis Knyazev, the founder and head of the project.

“Weddings of the Peoples of the World: Cultural Heritage” is an international scientific and ethnographic project aimed at preserving the unique wedding traditions of the peoples of the world as a monument of intangible cultural heritage with the assistance of UNESCO. The project is aimed at organizing expeditions and shooting reconstructions of traditional weddings for further detailed scientific description in the collection of books and albums under the auspices of UNESCO.

“The book will be a worthy contribution to the preservation and study of traditions, will serve to strengthen international and interethnic relations, and develop mutual understanding between cultures,” - said Anastasia Mutalenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Udmurt Republic.

The book-album “Traditional Udmurt Wedding” is a popular scientific publication dedicated to traditional wedding ceremonies of the Udmurt people. It received the aegis of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO. The book-album contains original art photos describing the wedding of central and southern Udmurts. It is based on materials of famous researchers-ethnographers of the Udmurt Republic. The book includes comments on traditional life and lifestyle, elements of wedding songs, signs, proverbs and sayings related to the wedding. All the material allows plunging deeper into the traditions of creating a family of the Udmurt people. The book is published in three languages (Russian, Udmurt, English).

The publication was carried out with the financial support of the Government of the Udmurt Republic as part of the preparation and celebration of the 100th anniversary of Udmurtia's statehood. The shooting took place on the territory and with the full support of the architectural and ethnographic Museum-reserve “Ludorvay”. The Udmurt state theatre of folk song and dance “Aikai” and the ensemble “Azves Nyuzha” of the village Kuregovo Malopurginskoe region of Udmurtia Republic took part in recreating the wedding ceremonies. The scientific editor of the book is A. E. Zagrebin, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The Udmurtia Publishing House prepared the publication.

“Now the question about the presentation of the Udmurt culture traditions, in particular, wedding traditions at the UN headquarters in new York in 2021, is under discussion.” - said Denis Knyazev, founder and head of the project “Weddings of the Peoples of the World: Cultural Heritage”.

Reference

Denis Knyazev, founder and head of the project “Weddings of the Peoples of the World: Cultural Heritage”, was born on May 1, 1985 in Moscow. Denis is udmurt by nationality; he is married and has 4 children. He graduated from Moscow state pedagogical University, majoring in history. Denis is a professional photographer, philanthropist, figure of public diplomacy, member of the all-Russian public organization “Russian Geographical Society” and the International Union of non-governmental organizations “Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly”.

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