The announcement of 2026 as the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia emphasizes the diversity that exists within the country. Russia, covering more than 17 million square kilometers, is home to over 190 different ethnic groups. The Presidential Library portal features a collection titled "The Russian People," which includes photographs, film chronicles, archival documents, and periodicals that reflect the multifaceted nature of the Russian people in detail.
Even in the 19th century, researchers were struck by the scale of the Russian Empire. In the book "Guide to the Study of Russian Land and Its Population," published in 1867, it was noted: "Looking at the map of Russia, we see what a vast state this is! It stretches so wide that it is forced to interact with many different peoples."
This publication also mentions the diversity of peoples: "In our kingdom, there are many tribes: Poles, Belarusians, Little Russians, Great Russians, Germans, Swedes, Finns, Georgians, Armenians, Tatars, Circassians, Persians, as well as mixed tribes in Siberia and America! Even in a lifetime, one cannot learn all the languages of their compatriots!"
The Presidential Library portal also features a collection titled "Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russia" (https://www.prlib.ru/collections/1353973), where one can learn about traditional culinary recipes, such as "National Dishes of the Khakass." The 1884 publication includes secrets for preparing various sweets and drinks, including syrups, jams, pastila, and gingerbread.
It is also interesting to explore the photographic works of Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky (1863–1944), who created the first color photographs in Russia. These images, available in the section "Collection of S. M. Prokudin-Gorsky from the Collections of the Library of Congress" (https://www.prlib.ru/section/685568), represent unique historical and cultural artifacts, allowing one to see Russia at the beginning of the 20th century in color.
All the peoples inhabiting Russia are united by common values and statehood, which guarantees the rights and freedoms of every citizen, regardless of their nationality or religion. Information about this can be found in the materials of the collection "Family and Traditional Family Values in Russia as the Foundation of Russian Statehood."
