20.08.2022 // On 16–18 August, Usinsk in the Komi Republic hosted the first All-Russian 'The Arctic. The Ice Has Broken' Forum-Festival. It brought together 200 volunteers, representatives of environmental organisations and movements, social activists and students from all regions of Russia, as well as the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic. The Forum was held as part of the main activities of Russia's Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

The Arctic Usinsk became the capital of the Russian volunteer movement for three days 'Holding the forum-festival was a unique opportunity for volunteers to learn about the Russian Arctic and the huge potential of these territories, as well as to try on the opportunity to participate in the development of the Far North and make their contribution to preserving the fragile ecosystem of our country's Arctic regions,' said Aleksey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.

The main event of the forum's business programme was the plenary session, which discussed ways of improving the quality of life in the Arctic, the results and prospects of general cleaning of the Arctic territories and improving the interaction between the state, society and business in this sphere. The session was attended by representatives from business, academia, the public and government. After listening to the experts, the volunteers brainstormed and proposed solutions to the challenges facing the Arctic.

'Preserving and restoring the nature of the Arctic is an absolute priority for Russia, and in this context, the importance of the volunteer movement’s activities is growing exponentially. The ecology of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation needs people who are ready to act sincerely and with great responsibility for the benefit of nature and Russian society,' believes Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee in charge of preparing for and supporting Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

There were many unique opportunities for participants in the forum-festival. For example, meet the captain of the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy, Dmitry Lobusov, the mastermind of the Clean Arctic project. See with their own eyes the oil production process, visit a real gas processing plant and take a master class in oil painting. Watch the film Voices of the Arctic and meet the filmmakers. And then there's the Victory Train, the world's first immersive installation on a moving train.

To give the volunteers the practical skills needed to live above the Arctic Circle, the Russian EMERCOM organised a 'survival school' for them. Forum participants learned how to provide first aid in Arctic conditions, how to use personal respiratory and skin protection equipment and how to behave when meeting wild animals.

The main sporting event of the festival was the Race of Heroes, a cross-country obstacle course. The competition took place on a specially paved 3.5-km course.

Usinsk will long remember that the first 'The Arctic. The Ice Has Broken' Forum-Festival was held here, as its participants and guests of honour planted 85 rowan trees on Three Generations Square. Each tree in the Arctic Volunteer Alley symbolises a region of Russia.