On March 26, the session "Northern Creative Way: Territory of Business Opportunities" was held within the framework of the International Arctic Forum. The Murmansk Region was represented at the session by Olga Vovk, Deputy Governor of the Murmansk Region.
"One of the most promising areas for the development of the regional economy today is the creative or creative industries. Its basis is the sale of goods and services that are the result of intellectual activity. The development of creative industries plays a special role in the development of the Murmansk Region, as entrepreneurs engaged in the field produce goods and services that reflect the uniqueness of the Kola Region, its cultural and natural wealth, history and current state. The contribution to the region's GRP from this sector now stands at 1.8%. In accordance with the concept of creative industries development adopted in 2024, we plan to increase its share to 3% by 2030," Olga Vovk said.
Currently, the priority areas of creative industries in the Murmansk region are film production, gastronomy and northern design. So, since 2019, the number of film projects created in the Murmansk Region has increased 7-fold, and the volume of investments in the sphere from the budget for three years has amounted to about 170 million rubles.
Special attention was paid to Arctic cuisine as a brand that has a positive impact on the development of tourism in the region. Every year since 2018, the Taste of the Arctic Festival has been held in the Murmansk Region. Over the years, more than 15 industry events have been held within its framework with the participation of more than 60 restaurants.
In addition, the Internet portal "Invented in the Arctic" operates in the region, where an online showcase of creative goods and services has been created and replenished by more than 280 creative entrepreneurs. To date, information about creative entrepreneurs has been posted in the following areas: subject design, art industry and art spaces, fashion, gastronomy - Arctic cuisine, souvenirs and others.
"An important part of the development of creative industries are regional measures to support entrepreneurs operating in the field. For example, grants for projects of contemporary art and creative industries, the Governor's Start to support entrepreneurial initiatives, grants for entrepreneurs to purchase franchises, and others. Since 2023, such budget support for creative small business startups has amounted to about 4 million rubles," Olga Vovk explained.
The tourism sector is also a growth point for developing the creative potential of Northerners and promoting the region's image. The number of tourists increased from 350,000 in 2020 to 670,000 in 2023. Events held in the region play an important role in the development of the sphere. Such as the Festival of the North, "Imandra Viking Fest", "Cultural Arctic" and others. Also, with the support of the Government of the Murmansk Region, thematic fairs are being held in the center of Murmansk to develop small and medium-sized businesses, promote local products and local brands, and promote Arctic cuisine and handmade souvenirs with a northern flavor.
At the moment, two large creative infrastructure facilities are operating in Murmansk - the Container Hall and the HILLS.21A", a project to create a center for scientific and technological creativity is being implemented in the building of the former Rodina cinema, as well as a project to create a creative cluster in the building of the former North printing house.
As Olga Vovk noted, the regional government's team plans to develop the creative economy, including by increasing the share of employment in creative professions for women, youth, representatives of the indigenous small-numbered people of the North living in the Murmansk region, as well as the development of extreme and industrial tourism.
"The Murmansk region is so diverse and interesting that you can film everything here. In 2020, we invited a large number of producers to the region here, and showed them the beauty of our region. Thanks to Governor Andrey Chibis for this opportunity and support! It was he who saw in film production an opportunity to attract investments to the region. As a result, 32 films were shot in the region in 2024 alone, and 4 of them were shot in December. Due to regional grants, local cinematographers have shot 14 films," said Svetlana Soldatova, Director of the Northern Character Production Center.
Director, screenwriter and producer Alexander Kott, the author of the film "North Pole", which was shot in the Murmansk region, also spoke during the discussion.
"I would like to note that for the first time I shot in Murmansk in 2002, when there was nothing here at all. And after 20 years, it became a completely different city. My film is a movie about the first cruise of a nuclear submarine in the northern ice. We shot in the Murmansk region and tried to convey the spirit of the inhabitants of these settlements as much as possible. I urge everyone to take a look!" said Alexander Kott.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /