Natalia Belyakova, Director of the Department of Expeditionary Activities and Tourism Development at the Russian Geographical Society, PhD in History, Associate Professor, and Head of the Territorial Marketing Working Group of the Expert Council of the State Duma Tourism Committee (Moscow). Author and host of the program "Grand Tour with Natalia Belyakova" on Mediametrics internet radio. A renowned Russian marketer, she is ranked among the top 25 communications directors in the Russian Federation (according to the Association of Directors of Communications and Corporate Media of Russia, 2022 and 2023). She is a winner of the "Expert of the Year" award in the "Business Communications" category.
Natalia introduced the students to the work of the Russian Geographical Society, touched on the history of Russian travelers worldwide, and discussed the need to develop competencies in any endeavor, including travel.
And Artur Grigoryan, head of the expedition department of the Russian Geographical Society's Expedition Center in Brazil, spoke about the Aleisha Belov Foundation, the Museum of the Sea, and the work of the Russian Geographical Society in Brazil.
The Russian Geographical Society was founded by imperial decree of Nicholas I in 1845. Over the years, the Society has been led by members of the Russian Imperial House, scientists, and government officials. One of the oldest geographical societies in the world, it unites specialists in geography and related sciences, as well as travel enthusiasts, environmentalists, and public figures.
In April 2025, the grand opening of the Russian Geographical Society's Expedition and Tourism Center in Brazil took place in a historic mansion in Salvador. The RGS's first center was established by the Aleixo Belov Foundation, a world-renowned explorer with Russian roots. The RGS's Brazilian Expedition and Tourism Center has the tasks to organize the participation of foreign citizens and compatriots in scientific, expeditionary, and tourism projects, as well as holding joint events with scientific and educational institutions in Brazil and Russia.
The Foundation's program places particular emphasis on the large-scale international sailing expedition "Brotherhood 2025–2026." This project is dedicated to several important dates: the 180th anniversary of the Russian Geographical Society, the 200th anniversary of Russian-Brazilian diplomatic relations, the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II, and the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership between our countries. On April 12, 2025, a joint Russian-Brazilian crew departed Salvador, along with the founder of the Foundation, Aleixo Belov.
The expedition route follows the Northern Sea Route, calling at key points along the route: Murmansk, Dikson, Tiksi, Bennett Island, Pevek, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It also covers the extreme geographical points of the continents: Cape Chelyuskin in the north, Cape Horn in the south, and Cape Dezhnev in the east. This ambitious project is a symbol of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Brazil, opening new prospects for joint research and cultural exchange, emphasizing the importance of cultural dialogue and the joint study of our planet's unique natural sites.
The Aleixo Belov Foundation, founded in 2019, was created as a center dedicated to educational initiatives and community events, commemorating the history and legacy of the first Brazilian navigator to circumnavigate the globe aboard a sailboat he built himself. The Museum of the Sea is managed by the Aleixo Belov Foundation, a center for maritime research and development, founded in 2019.
The Foundation provides the people of Bahia with an extensive and rich library of books about the sea, classrooms, public space, and various courses for young Salvadorans. The organization establishes strategic partnerships with public and private institutions, public schools, and organizations focused on education, social inclusion, and sustainable development.
The Museum of the Sea, opened on December 1, 2021, traces its roots to the maritime adventures
of the navigator after whom it bears its name. The museum is located in a
historic mansion in Salvador, Bahia. The museum displays works acquired by
Aleixo Belov during his five circumnavigations, three of which were completed
solo on the sailing vessel Três Marias, which is part of the museum's
collection. The museum, with its 540 square meters of permanent exhibition
space and 110 square meters of temporary exhibitions, houses nautical charts
and navigational instruments used on these voyages, a cinema, photographs,
various items recovered during these voyages, documents, and an interactive
space for exploring the sea. The Museum of the Sea is managed by the Aleixo
Belov Foundation.
