MARI HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CENTER

MARI HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CENTER o f  t h e  R B, a public organization, branch of the House of Peoples’ Friendship. Established in 2003 in the village Mishkino of Mishkinsky district of the RB in order to safeguard the native language, traditions, customs, identity, folklore, of the Mari, and for the revival of their arts and crafts. The center hosts folk rituals “Uyarnta” (see Maslenitsa), Yuletide, Easter, Sabantuy, Semyk (see Trinity), Great prayer, and other holidays. Participates in the interregional festival-competition of folk-dance performers of Eastern Mari “Silver Cord”, Days of Mari culture and other holidays, competitions, and festivals, “Heart of Eurasia”. The Mari vocal ensemble “Muro-Em” (“Song-balm”) operates at the center.