"SAAMI NATIONAL GAMES": TO THE PROBLEM OF PRESERVATION AND POPULARIZATION OF ETHNOCULTURAL TRADITIONS OF INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS OF THE MURMANSK REGION

Saami National Games" is an annual festival of Saami culture and crafts associated with holding national sports competitions in summer sports, which is held in the village of Lovozero and at the Loparskaya station in the Murmansk region. Based on an empirical study that was carried out in 2024 at the Loparskaya station in the Murmansk region, the structure and scenario of this event are analyzed. Of particular interest are the national competitions of the indigenous people (Saami) included in the program of the celebration — lasso throwing on horns, crossbow shooting, fishing with a can, Saami football, etc. In addition, as part of the cultural program, folklore groups of small peoples of the North traditionally perform, and handicraft exhibitions and fairs are organized. The study showed that this type of cultural events actualizes the problem of preserving and popularizing the ethnocultural heritage of the indigenous population of the Murmansk region and contributes to the realization of the region's tourism potential.