Starting from 2026, the Russian Federation, covering more than 17 million square kilometers, will declare the Year of Unity of Peoples. The country is home to over 190 different ethnic groups. The Presidential Library portal features a collection titled "The Russian People," which includes photographs, newsreels, archival documents, and periodicals that help to gain a deeper understanding of the diversity of the concept of "the Russian people."
Researchers of the 19th century already noted the magnificence of Russian expanses. In the book "Guide to the Study of Russian Land and Its Population" (1867), it is stated: "Looking at the map of Russia, we see what a great state it is! It stretches over a vast distance, interacting with many different peoples."
About the population of Russia, this work mentions: "In our kingdom, there are many peoples: Poles, Belarusians, Little Russians, Great Russians, Germans, Swedes, Finns, Georgians, Armenians, Tatars, Circassians, Persians, and mixed tribes in Siberia and America! No matter how much you study, you will not be able to learn all the languages of your compatriots!"
The Presidential Library portal also offers a collection titled "Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russia" (https://www.prlib.ru/collections/1353973), dedicated to the unique historical and cultural heritage. In the section "Cuisine of the Peoples of Russia," national recipes are presented, such as dishes from the Khakass people. For those with a sweet tooth, the 1884 publication collects recipes for syrups, jams, pastes, marmalades, and other treats.
One can also familiarize themselves with the works of Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (1863–1944), the author of the first color photographs in Russia, in the section "Collection of S. M. Prokudin-Gorsky from the Collections of the Library of Congress" (https://www.prlib.ru/section/685568). These photographs serve as unique historical evidence, showcasing Russia at the beginning of the 20th century in color.
All the peoples inhabiting various regions of Russia are united by common traditions and state values that ensure the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens, regardless of their nationality and religion. This is evidenced by the materials from the collection "Family and Traditional Family Values in Russia as the Foundation of Russian Statehood."
