Saint Petersburg is hosting the “New Culture of Souvenirs” tourist souvenir contest for the third time, organized by the Committee for Tourism Development of Saint Petersburg. Applications are accepted until 06 October 2025 via the form on the official website: unesco-spb.ru/contest.
The contest was first held in 2023 with over 150 participants — from major manufacturers to small creative entrepreneurs, artists, and artisans. A number of souvenirs selected by the jury gained the status of official products of the Committee for Tourism Development. Last year the contest grew further, attracting over 250 participants.
The contest aims to promote Saint Petersburg’s tourism potential and develop creative local souvenirs. It supports local designers and manufacturers of regional souvenir products and serves as a strong incentive for entrepreneurial growth.
Manufacturers of souvenir products, organizations from the creative industries, creative entrepreneurs registered in the Russian Federation, as well as creative youth, are welcome to apply.
Winners are determined by a jury traditionally comprising representatives of regional authorities and experts in tourism and hospitality, public figures and media representatives, and figures of culture and art.
“Saint Petersburg is a city of culture and art that has inspired creators to make masterpieces of global scale. Today our city remains one of the most creative in the country. Many talented artists, designers, musicians, IT-specialists, urbanists and architects work here. Our contest is largely aimed at supporting such creative people. As in previous years, winners will receive media support and the opportunity to represent Saint Petersburg through souvenir products to a wide audience, including within official delegations.”
— Nana Gvichiya, Deputy Chair of the Committee for Tourism Development of Saint Petersburg
Categories 2025
- Souvenir “Historical & Cultural Heritage”
- Gastronomic Souvenir
- Recognizable Symbols of Saint Petersburg within tourist perception of the territory
- Creative Souvenir
- New Souvenir Concept & Interactive Souvenir
- Museum Souvenir
- Souvenir Packaging Design
- Best Souvenir Manufacturer of Saint Petersburg
- Development of Promising Tourism Segments (Business Tourism, Wedding & Family Tourism, Representative Souvenir, Interactive Souvenir)
The results will be announced during the conference for the tourism industry “The Role of Creative Industries in the Socio-Economic Development of Tourist Territories, including those of UNESCO Creative Cities,” to be held on 23–24 October in Saint Petersburg, where a souvenir exhibition and awards ceremony will also take place.
Winners will receive diplomas and special prizes from partners.
Background
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network fosters intellectual cooperation among cities in culture and the arts. Today it includes 350 cities across 100+ countries, including the Russian cities of Saint Petersburg, Ulyanovsk, Kazan, Veliky Novgorod, and Kargopol. Each city represents one of seven fields: gastronomy, crafts & folk art, design, film, literature, media arts, and music. In 2021 Saint Petersburg joined the Network in the field of “Gastronomy.”