Koldobskaya N.A. Regional aspects of embroidery as Russia’s intangible cultural heritage // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2026. V.11. №1. P. 161-186.

EDN: ICUUTR 

Annotation

The article considers embroidery as the Russian intangible cultural heritage, focusing on its regional features: each culture gives embroidery its unique characteristics, reflecting the historical, social and cultural features of the region. Under globalization and rapid technological development, the task of preserving and popularizing traditional embroidery becomes especially relevant. The article aims at identifying geographical patterns and regional features of the Russian traditional embroidery. To achieve this goal, the author conducted a search for embroidery in the registers of intangible cultural heritage and folk crafts to create a database of regional features of Russian embroidery, supplemented by the methods of participant observation and field ethnographic study. The article presents the historical transformation of embroidery traditions as intangible cultural heritage and considers the activities of folk-art enterprises. The author identifies the role of geographical factors in the development of regional embroidery traditions, presents a typology of Russian regions based on such traditions, shows their differences between the city and the countryside. The article emphasizes the importance of preserving and transmitting knowledge about embroidery as a key aspect of the cultural identity of the peoples of Russia. Embroidery is considered not only as a decoration for clothing and household items, but also as a bearer of deep symbolism reflecting the worldview and spiritual values of the people.

Keywords

Embroidery traditions, intangible cultural heritage, folk crafts, regions of Russia, historical analysis, geographical factors, typology.  

About the author

Natalia A. Koldobskaya, PhD (Geography), Associate Professor, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. GSP-1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia. 
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