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The Cultural
Heritage

© Arctic Winter Games. Red North (YANAO) © Arctic Winter Games. LUCH

region will participate in the Games: Greenland, Canada, Finland, The Arctic Winter Games are of great
Norway, Sweden, USA. Once every two years and each time at socio-cultural, educational, and
a new location, these interesting international competitions are
held. The idea of holding the Games came from Canadians J. communicative importance. They
Smith, St. Hodgson, as well as the governor of Alaska W. Hickel, contribute to the development of
the Canadian Minister for Indian and Northern Development A.
Lange. The games were conceived as a forum where athletes from sport in the region and promote a
the "circumpolar North" could compete on their terms and "on healthy lifestyle
their lawn". Similar to the Olympics, the Arctic Winter Games
have their mascot, emblem, opening and closing ceremonies with
a solemn procession of participants, as well as the fire relay. evenings at the end of the Games). The cultural program includes
The modern Arctic Winter Games are an international visual arts, dances, various ceremonies, and gala events with
competition: they harmoniously combine the Olympic (summer the participation of representatives of the whole Circumpolar
and winter), non-Olympic and national sports of indigenous region. The cultural program of the Games is designed to bring
peoples of the North, which are perhaps given the main place. all participants together so that they can learn from each other,
These include the Arctic Polyathlon (Inuit Games), and the exchange cultures, and demonstrate their unique artistic talents.
so-called Dene Games, which consist of throwing a small stick The cultural component of the Games should serve to create an
resembling a spear, running on snowshoes, and dogsled racing. A atmosphere of interaction and trust, strengthen national cultural
feature of the Games is a strong focus on the cultural program, consciousness, establish friendly relations, and increase self-
which is aimed at the presentation of the Arctic indigenous esteem and national pride. Besides, the Games also help develop
cultures: bone carving, national song traditions, epics, and much closer economic, political, and social ties.
more. (Arctic Winter Games Staging Manual). The cultural Values such as cultural awareness and understanding, fair play
program of the Games is aimed at the promotion, popularization, principles, accessibility and fairness, respect for oneself and others,
and presentation of Arctic indigenous cultures. The cultural partnerships, personal development, and national community
component of the Games, according to the technical regulations, development serve as an inspiration for the Games. Since 2004,
should include the following elements: cultural exchanges the Russian Federation is represented by the Yamalo-Nenets
(rehearsals, training, joint creative work, master classes), Autonomous Okrug, which builds a very representative team.
daily performances (demonstration of cultural programs of The Arctic Winter Games are of great socio-cultural, educational,
participants, joint performances), gala concerts (during two and communicative importance. They contribute to the development
of sport in the region and promote a healthy lifestyle. The inclusion
The listed festivals allow taking a new of national sports into the Games program fosters a sense of respect
look at the Arctic region, its history, for the culture of northern peoples and popularizes it (Nikolaeva
2017). As a tool of sports and public diplomacy, the Games play an
and the richest potential, which is equally important role: they create an atmosphere of mutual trust,
unveiled in the program of various promote the establishment of friendly relations and partnership
between the residents of the Circumpolar region. The Games also
international and national festivals help to develop closer economic, political, and cultural contacts

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