On 20 May 2012, the famous Russian sailing ship "Sedov" departed form Sankt-Peterburg and started on a 14-month circumnavigation of the world..

The journey of "Sedov" - the largest training sailing ship of the world - is dedicated to the 1150^th anniversary of the birth of Russian statehood and the 200^th anniversary of the first Russian circumnavigation of I.F. Kruzenstern and Yu.F. Lisianskiy.

On December 6, 2012, at the Museum Hall of the headquarters of Russian Geographic Society in Sankt-Peterburg, there was a ceremonial opening of exhibition "Treasures of Tuva".

Republic Tuva is well known to archeologists and historians of the whole world as a treasury full of remnants of the most ancient civilizations and cultures. Scientists and curious adventure seekers have been striving to learn about them for more than 100 years, during which archeological excavations have been taking place there.

Nature park "Ergaki" is becoming more and more popular every year as a place for active recreation, gradually turning into the next "Mecca" of Russia.  According to various sources, about 2 to 3 thousand "guests" visit the "Sleeping Sayan Mountains".

But there is a problem: the majority of the people going to the mountains has not had even minimal preparation for it. Most of them not just can't tie a "sea knot", but can't even start a simple campfire. And, as is well known, the mountains do not forgive mistakes.

A journey

In southwest Siberia in Tuva, between Mongolia and Altai, the mountain massif Mongun-Taiga spread its shoulders - the mountain ridges, glittering with glaciers of the Silver Mountain. It is a harsh land of wind-blown high-altitude meadows, stony slopes and icy rivers. Only strong and tough people survive here, Tuvans of Turkic roots, living a nomadic life with their herds of sheep and yaks. They are kind to their guests, but guests are rare - it is not an easy road to the remote mountain pastures. But those who had made the trip fell in love with the simple beauty of its wild nature and the people living in harmony with it.

Ethnocultural center "Ustuu-Khuree", which will be located on the territory of Dzun-Khemchik district of the republic, will become one of the trademarks of the republic. This was announced today at a government conference, during which the project plans were evaluated. It is anticipated that the Center will include the territory of the Ustuu-Khuree temple, destroyed in 1937, in the vicinity of Chadan.

Currently, the ruins of earth walls of the old temple, which are sacred to many people of the republic, attract multitudes of pilgrims and tourists. Next to the ruins is the new Buddhist temple, opened on 23 July of this year, which is a contemporary replica of the old temple.

The Tuvan State University of Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva is organizing a summer study program for foreigners, from June 30 - July 14, 2013 called “Two Weeks of Tuva”.

Participants will study the Tuvan language four academic hours (three actual hours) a day, Monday through Friday, in groups of 3-6 students.  By the end of the 40-academic-hour program, participants will know basic words, simple phrases, and how to talk about themselves, their family and their home.

Government of Tuva approved a project of a law concerning "About protection of intang9ble cultural heritage of Republic Tyva", according to which it is proposed to regulate the expression, conservation and utilization of the spiritual heritage transmitted from generation to generation, and demonstrating the cultural variety of peoples of Republic Tyva. The remarkable Tuvan throat-singing, stone carving art, ancient traditions and rituals, including unique traditions of Russian culture, which have been conserved on the territory of the republic, folklore, national holidays - everything that is so remarkable and attractive about Tuva, will be included among the objects of intangible cultural heritage, and will be protected by law.

The yurt-museum is located not far from national Museum in Kyzyl; it complements the cultural treasure-house of original expositions, immersing the visitors in the daily life of Tuvans.

- What is the main difference between a yurt and other types of dwellings?

O.D.: A yurt is, first of all, a typical nomadic dwelling. That is why it is easy to take it apart and transport it, then reassemble it again in two hours at the most, depending on the size of the yurt. The yurt and its interior furnishings are made from light materials by hand, in conditions of home craft production, and everything is adapted for nomadic way of life.