MAKHACHKALA, September 23 – RIA "Dagestan". A. Takho-Godi National Museum in Makhachkala has expanded its educational offerings with the launch of "Ustar", a children's cultural center designed for the preservation of craft traditions. This initiative was successfully implemented with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture, operating within the framework of the "Family Values and Cultural Infrastructure" federal project.
By combining historical heritage with modern educational tools, the Center features a multimedia-equipped hall designed to inspire creativity and teach traditional artisanal skills to the younger generation. Participants can engage in a rich curriculum of masterclasses that cover everything from ceramics, drawing and woodcarving to carpet weaving, felting as well as the meticulous creation of national costumes and jewelry.
As to the Acting Minister of Culture Zarema Butaeva, "Ustar" is Dagestan's second children's cultural center, pledging to continue developing such educational venues within local libraries and museums to unlock the creative potential of the youth. Challenging the notion that culture is confined to display cases, the top official encouraged children to actively create with their own hands, noting that the artisans of tomorrow might produce the very artifacts that will define the region's future museum collections.
National Museum Head Pakhrudin Magomedov detailed the immediate next steps for the project, revealing that a new center would soon open in Buynaksk to serve the local district while utilizing the museum's recently expanded exhibition infrastructure. Underscoring the federal support for this cultural push, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova delivered a video message confirming the nationwide rollout of 300 similar children's facilities across 75 regions in 2026.