On October 10, the conference “Geological and mining heritage of Karelia in education, museums and tourism” opened at the Karelian Research Center RAS. The event was organized by the Karelian Resource Center for Non-governmental Organizations within the project “Industrial Karelia: New Dimensions”. Traditionally, the conference is held in the city of Sortavala. This year, the 15th anniversary event was opened with the support of the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS.

— Today, we are getting engaged in local lore and for our institute it is an opportunity to show the younger generation what ideas permeate our scientific research. The geological heritage for Karelia is one of the major resources that can make our region stand out nationwide! We can now share our experience in its study,- noted Sergey Svetov, Director of the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS, in his welcoming speech.

Around a hundred people took part in the event — students and schoolchildren, local lore experts, museum staff, tour guides, representatives of the Petrozavodsk City Administration, Protected Areas Directorate, and NGOs. The geography of the conference audience and speakers covers Lahdenpohsky, Pudozhsky, Suoyarvsky, Segezhsky, Louhsky and Sortavalsky municipal districts of Karelia and St. Petersburg.

Twenty presentations were given at the conference opening session. Scientists from the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS told about the region's unique geological history and the initiatives that popularize knowledge about geology. These include the exhibition “7 Stones of Karelia that everyone should know”, a series of video lectures and practical classes on GeoKarelia project, and the Girvas Paleovolcano Day.

Some presentations were prepared by schoolchildren and students. They talked about their own experience of studying the shungite beach in the village of Kuzaranda, the Khatunoja gold occurrence, and told about the origins of their interest in geology.