10th International Festival Golden Khokhloma to open in Nizhny Novgorod

In Nizhny Novgorod region, special attention is being paid to the development of domestic tourism and the formation of competitive tourism industry. The regional government is implementing target program "The development of domestic tourism in the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2012-2016." About 200 million rubles is to be assigned for the program during the coming five years.

Over the past three years, the tourist flow in the Nizhny Novgorod region has increased by 36 percent - from 580 to 788 thousand people. The number of foreign tourists has increased by 51 percent. Up to 85,700 foreign citizens visit the region every year.

People from all around the world will gather in the Nizhny Novgorod region on June 15 to participate in the 10^th International Festival "Golden Khokhloma." The festival was recognized by the Association of Russian folk crafts as the biggest festival of folk arts and crafts in the country. Nizhny Novgorod Governor Valery Shantsev acts as the Chairman of the organizing committee of the festival.

This year, guests and participants of the festival will see many pleasant surprises. For example, the opening of a new tourist facility, the museum of folk life and game complex "Meadow of Fairy Tales" will become one of the central events during the festival.

Also, continuing the tradition of creating large and unique items, a khokhloma-painted chest will be presented this year. Guests will be able to enjoy the biggest pie in the history of the festival.

The event will last for two days. During this time, residents and visitors will be able to get acquainted with finest products of folk and decorative arts of Russia and abroad. The festival will showcase works of arts from Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Austria, Japan, and Germany. As many as 600 artists will take part in the festival.

Deputy governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Natalia Kazachkova, said that the task of the regional administration was "to make the festival enjoyable to every visitor."

"The experience of the festival will be extended to other areas of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Hopefully, the Gorodetsky Festival of Folk Arts that is scheduled for the end of July will eventually became an international event too," Natalia Kazachkova said.