Permafrost School Day 11: Archaeology, Sakha Culture, and NVK Television Filming
On Day 11 of the Permafrost School, the camp welcomed an archaeology group from NEFU and a lecture on Sakha culture, and received a visit from the NVK television crew who came to film a feature about the school.
Day 11 of the Permafrost School in the Verkhnevilyuysk District of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) proved to be a day of cultural richness, scientific exchange, and media recognition — a powerful combination that highlighted the growing significance of the camp on the regional stage.
The day began with a special visit from the archaeology group of Aital Igorevich Yakovlev from the North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) and the Institute for Humanitarian Research. The visiting researchers shared fascinating insights from their ongoing archaeological fieldwork across Yakutia, presenting the students with a window into the ancient history buried beneath the permafrost that they themselves had been studying from a scientific perspective.
Following this, the students were treated to a captivating lecture delivered by Kapitolina Yakovleva on the culture and traditions of the indigenous Sakha people. The talk wove together language, folklore, traditional crafts, and worldviews of the Sakha, helping the young researchers understand the deep connection between the land, permafrost, and the culture of the people who have called this Arctic region home for centuries. The lecture inspired thoughtful discussion among the students about how indigenous knowledge can complement modern scientific approaches to studying the Arctic environment.
A significant highlight of the day was a visit by a local team from the National Broadcasting Company of Yakutia (NVK). The television crew arrived at the camp to record a feature programme dedicated to the Permafrost School's unique educational model. Students, mentors, and visiting scientists were filmed during their activities, demonstrating to a wider audience the interdisciplinary, hands-on approach that makes the Permafrost School stand out as a flagship educational initiative in the Russian Arctic.
The attention from regional media reflects the increasing recognition of the Permafrost School's contribution to Arctic education and scientific outreach in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The programme continues to inspire the next generation of Arctic researchers by combining rigorous scientific study with cultural immersion and practical fieldwork.