Pavel Shulgin took part in a roundtable meeting of the Russian Geographical Society

On January 29, 2026, the Russian Geographical Society held a roundtable discussion on the topic "The Phenomenon of Boundless Siberia" as part of the Presidential Order on the Formation of the Great Siberian Library (Pr-2869 dated December 13, 2025)

At the round table Pavel Shulgin, the head of the Center for Comprehensive Regional Programs for Social and Cultural Development, presented a report on "The Cultural Image and Cultural Heritage of Siberia".

In terms of social and cultural development, Siberia is a transitional region, a territory that has historically experienced relatively recent mass settlement and development. This development was based on the territory and culture of the diverse and multi-ethnic indigenous population of Siberia. Experts have identified 13 large cultural and landscape regions in Siberia, each with its own natural, historical, and cultural characteristics, as well as its own economic and settlement patterns and cultural heritage.

According to statistical data on cultural heritage, Siberia, despite its vast territory, lags far behind the European part of Russia (which is home to only 18% of the country's cultural heritage sites). However, this apparent disparity is due to an incorrect accounting of the region's heritage. Siberia possesses a vast array of underestimated archaeological sites, industrial heritage, and immense resources of intangible cultural heritage, which encompasses national and regional traditions, folklore, and environmental practices. A significant part of Siberia's unique natural sites also has a pronounced cultural and sacred significance, making them a natural-cultural heritage.

The cultural significance of Siberia has not been fully revealed or fully understood, and its cultural role will become very evident in the future.