Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation | 2–10 June 2018
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| Arrival in Khanty-Mansiysk, Western Siberia, Russian Federation — Hotel “Музей Природы и Человека” (Museum of Nature and Man) under Siberian skies, Photo by Turrance Nandasara |
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| Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program. Unity in diversity — Participants from East Japan to Argentina gathered in Khanty-Mansiysk for UNESCO’s IFAP conference. |
2 June From Colombo to the Blue Horizon
In June 2018, I travelled from Sri Lanka to the heart of Western Siberia to attend two globally significant, transformative international conferences. These conferences, hosted in Khanty-Mansiysk and organised by UNESCO and global partners, these events explored the intersection of digital inclusion, multilingualism, and cultural preservation. The route itself was a story—Colombo to Moscow, then onward to this quiet yet intellectually vibrant city nestled in the heart of Russia’s vast landscape. This post reflects on the journey, the people, and the enduring legacy of Evgeny Kuzmin, whose vision continues to inspire.
The journey itself was long and layered: I flew from Colombo to Moscow, and then onward to Khanty-Mansiysk. Each leg of the trip unfolded like a chapter—bridging cultures, climates, and languages.
Khanty-Mansiysk: Where Rivers Remember
Set along the confluence of the Ob and Irtysh Rivers, Khanty-Mansiysk is both a modern administrative centre and a sacred landscape shaped by the ancestral rhythms of the Khanty and Mansi peoples. These indigenous communities have lived in harmony with the forest and tundra for generations, preserving oral traditions, animistic beliefs, and musical expressions like the jaw harp. Today, the city stands as a living dialogue—where glass towers rise beside sacred groves, and international delegates walk paths once traced by reindeer and storytellers.
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| Arrival and assignment — Delegates prepare for departure with clearly marked roles: “UNESCO,” “Interpreter,” and “No Interpreter.” A moment of logistical clarity before the multilingual conversations begin. |
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| Architectural metaphor — The green-roofed Museum of Nature and Man, my accommodation in Khanty-Mansiysk, offered quiet elegance and symbolic resonance. Its crystalline structure mirrored the themes of clarity, nature, and humanity that defined the week. |
3 June City walk, local architecture or nature
My accommodation was the Hotel “Музей Природы и Человека” (Museum of Nature and Man), a poetic structure bathed in crystal-clear blue, mirroring the vast Siberian sky. More than a hotel, it felt like a metaphor for the conference itself—clarity, nature, and humanity woven into its quiet elegance. It offered a moment of stillness before the week’s intellectual and cultural symphony began.
“A personal reflection on attending two international conferences in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, in June 2018—exploring digital inclusion, multilingualism, and cultural preservation through the lens of UNESCO’s IFAP.”
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Arrival in Khanty-Mansiysk — National Park and a huge mammoth monument. Photo by Turrance Nandasara |
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“Exploring the quiet charm of Khanty-Mansiysk before the conference begins -
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4 June: The 10th International IT Forum
Held under the auspices of BRICS and SCO nations, the 10th IT Forum convened over 1,500 participants from 55 countries. The sessions explored digital transformation, smart cities, and e-governance. I attended as a delegate from Sri Lanka, contributing to discussions on digital inclusion and strategic collaboration.
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| Multilingualism in cyberspace — Opening session of the IT Forum with BRICS and SCO participation. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program |
“Digitalisation is not just a tool—it is a bridge between nations, cultures, and futures.”
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| 10th International IT Forum — Delegates from BRICS and SCO nations gather |
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| Evening reflections — A soulful performance during the cultural program, blending music and memory. |
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| Portrait of pride — A delegate in ceremonial attire representing Siberian cultural identity. Rhythms of the forest — Indigenous performance during a cultural visit to the National Park, blending ceremony and nature. Video: Breath of Siberia — A single note awakens centuries. |
Echoes of the Forest — A Khanty musician plays the jaw harp, weaving ancient rhythms into the air with a single breath and a flick of metal. Her sound, both haunting and hypnotic, bridges tradition and technology in the heart of Siberia. In that moment, she became a conduit for whispers of ancestry—summoning echoes older than language, and reminding us that sound can carry memory across centuries, connecting forest spirits to digital futures.
5–8 June: UNESCO’s “Language for All”
The second event, the International Conference on the Tangible and Intangible Impact of Information and Communication in the Digital Age, was organised by UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP). The theme—Language for All—resonated deeply with my own mission of educational reform and multilingual empowerment.
Key sessions addressed:
Multilingualism in cyberspace
Digital memory institutions
Ethics and equity in the digital age
Creative industries and personal self-realisation
The conference was chaired by Evgeny Kuzmin, a visionary leader whose work in IFAP shaped global discourse on information access. Delegates hailed from over 60 countries, spanning from East Japan to Argentina and Ecuador, as well as Norway, Sri Lanka, and across Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
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| Opening of UNESCO’s ‘Language for All’ — A global dialogue begins. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program |
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Cultural demonstration at the Museum of Nature and Man — Indigenous crafts and traditions on display, Khanty-Mansiysk, June 2018.
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Cultural Encounters: National Park
Among the many cultural visits, Natura Park stood out. Surrounded by pristine nature and thoughtful design, it offered a moment of reflection and camaraderie. I joined fellow participants for a group photograph, capturing the spirit of unity and shared purpose.
“In the silence of Siberian pines, we found a common language—hope.”
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| A gathering of minds — Delegates from over 60 countries convene for UNESCO’s ‘Language for All’ conference. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program |
“Multilingualism in action — Voices from 60 countries share insights”
Closing Reflection: A Chapter Etched in Blue and Memory
As I reflect on my time in Khanty-Mansiysk, I see more than a conference—I see a convergence of purpose. The blue-hued hotel, the forest rhythms of National Park, and the multilingual symphony of voices from every continent formed a mosaic of shared humanity. In those moments, the boundaries between nations blurred, and what remained was a collective commitment to inclusion, preservation, and progress.
Evgeny Kuzmin’s presence—now a memory—was a guiding light in that mosaic. His belief in the power of language and access continues to echo through my own work in Sri Lanka and beyond. This chapter is not just a record of events; it is a tribute to the enduring spirit of collaboration and a reminder that legacy is built not only through institutions but through the lives we touch and the stories we preserve.
“Legacy is built not only through institutions, but through the lives we touch and the stories we preserve.”
In Memory of Evgeny Kuzmin
Evgeny Kuzmin (1955–2023) was a towering figure in the global movement for equitable access to information. As Vice-Chairperson of UNESCO’s IFAP and Chairman of its Working Group for Multilingualism in Cyberspace, he championed the rights of all peoples to preserve and share their cultural and linguistic heritage in the digital age.
His leadership shaped the very spirit of the 2018 conference. His belief in the power of language and access continues to echo through my own work in Sri Lanka and beyond. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program.
“His voice carried the weight of wisdom and the warmth of inclusion. His legacy lives on in every effort to make knowledge accessible to all.”
Media Description & Credits
This blog post features a curated selection of photographs taken during my participation in two international conferences held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation, from 2–10 June 2018. The images document key moments from the 10th International IT Forum and UNESCO’s “Language for All” conference, as well as cultural visits, museum exhibits, and personal reflections.
Image Themes & Contexts
Conference Documentation
Formal sessions, keynote addresses, and panel discussions from the IT Forum and UNESCO conference, highlighting global participation and multilingual dialogue.Cultural Heritage & Indigenous Expression
Traditional Siberian attire, museum displays, and ceremonial performances showcase the region’s rich cultural legacy and the importance of preserving intangible heritage.Group & Delegate Moments
Group photographs with participants from over 60 countries, capturing the spirit of international collaboration and shared purpose.Musical & Artistic Performances
Evening concerts and live performances added emotional resonance to the intellectual exchanges, reflecting the fusion of tradition and modernity.Personal Reflections
Scenes from the National Park and the Museum of Nature and Man, offering quiet moments of connection with nature, history, and fellow delegates.
Photographer Credits & Permissions
All photographs included in this post were taken by me or fellow participants and the "Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program" during official conference sessions and cultural programs.
“A Sri Lankan delegate’s reflections on UNESCO’s 2018 conference in Siberia—exploring digital inclusion, cultural heritage, and the legacy of Evgeny Kuzmin.”
Author Bio
Turrance Nandasara is a lifelong educator, memoirist, and institutional steward dedicated to documenting Sri Lanka’s computing and educational history. His work blends narrative clarity with visual storytelling to preserve legacies for future generations.
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