From the Nart Epos to the Kalevala: Exhibition «Heroes of Myths and Legends of the Peoples of Russia» Opens at KBSU

An exhibition titled «Heroes of Myths and Legends of the Peoples of Russia» has opened at KBSU to mark National Unity Day. The project, developed by the Center for Civic and Patriotic Education under the university’s Department for Educational Work, was conceived as an exploration of Russia’s shared cultural code.

The exhibition features 20 vibrant, informative posters, each introducing a legendary figure from the epic heritage of a specific ethnic group. These include characters from Slavic epics; figures from Caucasian traditions (such as the Nart, Vainakh, Lak, Lezgin, and Avar traditions); heroes from Turkic and steppe folklore; figures from the legends of the peoples of Siberia and the North (including the Yakut, Altai, Khakass, Chukchi, and Koryak peoples); as well as characters from Finno-Ugric and Bashkir epics.

As visitors explore the exhibition, they discover that a single archetypal hero may bear different names across various traditions, yet their core essence remains the same. This demonstrates that, despite linguistic and geographical barriers, the peoples of Russia are united by common moral values: a commitment to goodness, an adherence to honor, and a pursuit of justice. Zalina Gergova, Head of the Department for Educational Work at KBSU, emphasized that the exhibition carries a profound educational and unifying mission, tailored to the realities of a multi-ethnic student campus:

«We aimed to design the exhibition in a highly contemporary and vibrant style, ensuring it resonates with today’s students and sparks their genuine interest. Our university is a multi-ethnic family. Students from many of the ethnic groups whose heroes are depicted on these posters study here. For each of them, seeing a piece of their own home—the history and mythology of their people—is an opportunity to feel at ease, as if in their own environment, and to realize that their culture is respected and valued.

However, the exhibition also serves another, equally important educational purpose. It helps students explore the myths and legends of neighboring peoples and gain insight into their worldviews. Through the figures of these heroes, we speak to our students in a common language—the language of friendship, mutual understanding, and true unity,» noted Zalina Gergova.