"Karelforum 2023": the international forum and exhibition of stone processing will be held in the capital of Karelia for the second time
On May 22-26, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Karelia, the multi-format forum and exhibition “Karelforum 2023” will be held.
The project goes beyond the common formats of a business exhibition, as the Karelforum team aims to organize an exposition of industry companies as well as to create an effective platform where the participants and visitors can gain knowledge, vivid emotions and immerse themselves in the culture of stone processing in Russia.
Compared to last year, the exhibition space of Karelforum 2023 will increase significantly. In 2022, the event occupied one exhibition pavilion of “STK-Expo”; this year, the forum and exhibition will be located in 4 pavilions on Shuyskoye Highway with a total area of 6000 sq.m. In addition to the exhibitors' stands, the outdoor area in front of the pavilion will also be used. Spectacular stone sculptures and product samples will take their place and professional skills competitions will be held there. A special atmosphere in the street will be created by machines and equipment for stone processing, as well as blocks of stone, which will be installed by specialized companies.
Last year, visitors liked stone art objects so much that Karelforum, together with the KPO Association and the Karelian manufacturer Stone Market, presented them to the city. The stone armchair and the sofa made of northern granites Vinga and Khibinit now adorn the Onega embankment of Petrozavodsk.
More than 150 companies in the industry have already submitted applications for participation in the forum: manufacturers and suppliers of stone products, manufacturers of stone processing equipment, chemicals and consumable tools. The organizers also expect companies from Belarus, China, Turkey, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries.
On the eve of the forum, the acceptance of works for the All-Russian open architectural competition ”Ritmy Kamnya” is taking place. The competition includes 6 different nominations and special prizes for the use of certain rocks. “Karelforum” holds “Ritmy Kamnya” together with RIA “Stroitelnyi Expert”. The jury of the project includes professionals in the field of architecture and design. The call for works for the competition lasts for several months. The official awards ceremony will take place at “Karelforum”: the jury will sum up the results and honour the winners, the competition projects will be presented to the guests. The prize fund of the competition includes, among others, author's trips around Karelia. The organizers note that the prospect of visiting our magical land motivates the participants.
Every month, the project Telegram channel hosts live broadcasts with professionals in the stone processing industry. Participation in the broadcasts is free for everyone. How to create your own stone processing workshop from scratch? How to use natural stone in landscape design? How can stone processors get their products used by architects and designers? The channel subscribers receive answers to these and other questions from well-known industry experts. The organizers specifically save recordings of broadcasts so that channel subscribers can rewatch them.
Last year, the project “Teart Kamnya” became a place of attraction for the exhibition guests and citizens. This exhibition and museum of sculptures, panel pictures, mosaics, and the art objects made of stone will be located on the territory of “Karelforum 2023”. At last year forum, the guests were fascinated by the skillful mosaics of the KAM company, which depict the heroes of hieratic films, nature, animals, and landscapes. As mementos, the guests took pictures with the large-scale sculptures of the “Teart Kamnya” which the organizers installed in the street site. This year, the organizers promise even more interesting and spectacular stone exhibits.
"Karelforum" organizes centralized excursions with lectures, transfers and communication directly with specialists from enterprises. The guests will see the industry from the inside. It is a unique chance to visit the factories and quarries of Karelia, which will open their doors as part of the forum and exhibition. The visits to quarries and factories will take place by prior registration, the guests will receive a link after purchasing tickets. This year, those who want to see the gabbro-diabase deposit in the village of Rybreka have an unusual option: for an additional fee, the “Karelforum” team will organize an exclusive tour to the quarry by helicopter. During the tour, the guests will discover the beauty of Karelia and the deposit spectacular landscapes from a bird's eye view. Besides, practical workshop sessions on stone processing, which will be held in the manufacturing departments, are planned.
During the days of the event, a lecture hall will operate continuously, where professionals from various spheres will hold lectures and master classes. “Karelforum” is a unique opportunity to get an array of useful expert information for business in such a short time. The lectures will collect an essence of knowledge that will be useful to everyone who works with stone. Preparations are underway for holding round tables, where stone workers, government officials and experts will discuss issues of ecology, subsoil management and education. The organizers are also preparing entertaining and educational events that allow you to learn the culture and national peculiarities of the region.
The details are on the forum and exhibition website and Telegram channel.
