"Miss Nizhny Novgorod" is a Nizhny Novgorod beauty pageant held since 1996. The organizer is the Miss Nizhny Novgorod bureau, headed by director Ekaterina Chudakova. As of 2024, the pageant has been held more than 26 times; in 2024, the event was renamed "Beauty of Nizhny Novgorod" (Krasa Nizhnego Novgoroda).[2] The winner of the pageant earns the right to represent Nizhny Novgorod at the national "Krasa Rossii" (Beauty of Russia) pageant, whose winner, in turn, may compete in the international Miss Earth pageant.[3]

History and format

The pageant was founded in 1996.[5] Each year's final is devoted to a particular theme and includes several themed runway shows. The finalists prepare for their performance for almost two months: they rehearse, do fitness and choreography, learn self-presentation, attend lectures, and take part in charity work.[3] The jury traditionally includes stylists, designers, businesspeople, public figures, museum and theater directors, and journalists.[2] The clothing for the runway shows is, as a rule, created by local Nizhny Novgorod brands.[2]

The finals have been held at various venues around the city; in 2023 and 2024, the events took place at the multimedia art space "TSEKH" in the Nizhpoligraf building.[3][2] Tatyana Andreeva, director of the "Krasa Rossii" and "Miss Moscow" pageants, described "Miss Nizhny Novgorod" as the best beauty pageant in Russia, noting that its standard rises every year.[5]

The 2023 final

The 26th final of the competition took place on December 14, 2023, at the CEH space. The theme of the year was "The Story of One Photograph"; the event was dedicated to the photography industry in Nizhny Novgorod and was held in cooperation with the Russian Museum of Photography.[3] Twelve young women from Nizhny Novgorod and the Region took part in the final. The collections for three themed runway shows — "Reflection of History," "Reflection of Light," and "Reflection of Inspiration" — were created by the brands Fashion House L'Atelier, TIU, and OKSANA KOSAREVA; the light decorations were provided by the company dreamlaser.[3]

The jury consisted of more than 20 people, including David Melik-Guseynov, CEO of FC Pari NN, Aleksandr Kononov, Minister of Sport of Nizhny Novgorod Region, and Oksana Mikheeva, president of the Gorky Fest film festival.[4] The winner was 19-year-old Rada-Margarita Kondus, a student at the Institute of Food Technologies and Design. For the first time in the project's history, the "Young Miss Nizhny Novgorod" title was introduced — it was awarded to 16-year-old Polina Perevezentseva.[3] Rada-Margarita Kondus and Alyona Mozgacheva represented Nizhny Novgorod Region at the Krasa Rossii (Beauty of Russia) competition.[4]

The 2024 Final ("Beauty of Nizhny Novgorod 2024")

In 2024, the competition was held under a new name, "Beauty of Nizhny Novgorod"; the final took place on October 30 at the CEH space. The theme of the year was "Choice as Art," with references to painting, theater, and architecture. Twelve young women took part in the final; three special titles — "Beauty of Balakhna," "Beauty of Arzamas," and "Beauty of Pavlovo" — went to Viktoriya Ignoratova (19), Alisa Ananyeva (16), and Kristina Bolshova (20). Kristina Bolshova also won the title of "Young Beauty of Nizhny Novgorod." The main crown went to the 22-year-old winner.[2] Before the final, Nizhny Novgorod artist Aleksey Garin presented a series of portraits of the contestants.[2]

Sources

  1. Vremya N — Readers of the Vremya N news agency will choose "Mrs. Nizhny Novgorod 2026" (archive)
  2. V gorode N — Photo report: the most beautiful girl was chosen in Nizhny Novgorod (archive)
  3. Nizhegorodskaya Pravda — "Miss Nizhny Novgorod 2023" chosen at the TSEKH venue on December 14, 2023 (archive)
  4. Otkrytyy Nizhniy — Photo report: how the final of the "Miss Nizhny Novgorod — 2023" competition went — Photo reports
  5. sobaka.ru — "Miss Nizhny Novgorod" 2023 at TSEKH and the "Ministry of Breakfasts" (archive)