United Nations Geneva with support of Nornickel and the Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN in Geneva hosts “The World in Faces” photo exhibition by the renowned Russian photographer Alexander Khimushin. The artist personally presented a collection in the main hall of UN Geneva’s Palais des Nations of 170 large artistic portraits of over 100 representatives of different peoples of the world, photographed in authentic national costumes in their habitat. A big part of the exhibition is dedicated to the indigenous communities of Russia’s Siberia and the Far East.
Tatyana Valovaya, Director-General of UN Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to UN Geneva, and other officials took part in the exhibition opening ceremony. Indigenous people of Taimyr (including those depicted in Alexander Khimushin’s photos) also attended the ceremony. Heiro, the Taimyr Song and Dance Ensemble of the Peoples of the North, an honoured Russian folk-art band, performed during the ceremony.
Nornickel shares the goal of the “World in Faces” project — to tell the world a story about the indigenous communities, about everyday life, customs, traditions. Many of the photo portraits displayed at the exhibition were taken with the company’s support in Taimyr, home to the Dolgans, Enets, Nenets, Evenks and Nganasans.
“It is gratifying that the exhibition at the UN this year takes place as the world celebrates International Human Rights Day. It is a great pride and honour for me to present my photo project at the UN, especially on this momentous day,” said Alexander Khimushin.
Nornickel, one of the world’s largest mining companies led by Vladimir Potanin, regularly participates in projects intended to foster economic and social development of Taimyr’s indigenous communities. In 2020, Nornickel signed a cooperation agreement with organisations representing the interests of the indigenous communities of the North inhabiting the Taimyr Peninsula for a total of US$27M (RUB 2 bn) over five years. The programme will run until 2024 and includes support for traditional activities, protection of the indigenous habitat, and financing of new homes, hospitals, museums, etc.
“Nornickel has always interacted with the indigenous peoples of the Russian North in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual assistance. This year, the company’s relations with the indigenous peoples reached a new level. Based on the UN principles and objectives of sustainable development, we study, with the involvement of leading international experts and the scientific community, the socio-cultural specifics of indigenous life in Taimyr, and the traditions and historical memory of the peoples living in the region. This helps us make our support to indigenous peoples more targeted and effective. Cultural projects and support of traditional folklore and handicrafts are one of the most important components of our projects,” said Mikhail Kuznetsov, Nornickel’s Director of Federal and Regional Programmes.
The photo exhibition will run until December 10, 2021.
