Society and science: Plans of the Russian Geographical Society for 2016 were announced at the meeting of the media club in Moscow

The first meeting in 2016 of the media club o the Russian Geographical Society was held in February at the Headquarters of the company in Moscow. On the brightest projects of new expeditions and plans for the current year representatives of leading Russian mass media were told about by Company President Sergei Shoigu.

2016 is declared the Year of cinema in Russia. The contribution of the Russian Geographical Society in the national event will be a series of special screenings across the country. Each year, the Community grant program supports the shooting of several dozen scientific and educational films and documentaries. As a result, in the archives of the Society has been accumulated a unique video and film material, which everyone will be able to see in 2016.

The screenings will be followed by meetings with the creative teams of films, lectures, researchers, scientists and travelers.

In 2016, it will be the second award ceremony of the Russian Geographical Society. The award has an international status and is awarded for significant contribution to the development of the national geography, ecology, preservation of natural, historical and cultural heritage of Russia. Award RGS - a chance to publish their research and gain public support. Bidding campaign on competition awards will start in March, and its owners will be announced in the autumn of 2016.

In March there is the start of the second qualifying round of the Russian Geographical Society photo competition "The most beautiful country". Last year it was attended by over 25 thousand people for three months, which sent about 200 thousand jobs. In 2016 the competition will be even more ambitious.

Throughout 2016 in various regions of Russia and abroad will be held an exhibition of photographs that won the first contest. The Society developed a series of branded souvenirs dedicated to the best images. All this serves as a common goal - to popularize the unique natural and cultural complexes, which are not only a source of pride for the country, but also potential tourist attractions.

Another topic for discussion at a media club has become the All-Russian Congress of teachers of geography, which is scheduled for the autumn. It is expected that it will be attended by around 700 delegates from across the country. The tradition of holding congresses of geography teachers after nearly 100-year hiatus, was resumed on the initiative of the Russian Geographical Society in 2011. On teachers’ forthcoming congress will be discussed the new concept of teaching the subject, including the creation of new textbooks.

In addition, the Company will begin to explore the island of Matua Kurils. It survived the World War II artifacts and many fortifications. Matua is full of mysteries, legends and mysteries. What are the myth and the reality, the scientist will find out.

Among other notable expeditions is worth mentioning a project on the study of archaeological culture heritage of the Okunevskaya early Bronze Age, concentrated in the Republic of Khakassia. All the findings, obtained in the excavations, will be transferred for permanent storage in the State Hermitage Museum and its exhibition will add the collection.

Artur Chilingarov told about Arctic research: "The Arctic remains one of the priorities of the Russian Geographical Society. We have presented a plan for a comprehensive study of the expedition of Franz Josef Land. We continue to work on the New Siberian Islands, Wrangel Island. In addition, we are planning this year's seasonal drift of RGS camp near the North Pole. Particular attention will be paid not only to the Arctic, and the Far East, where we have to use two manned submersibles".