What and how to see at the “Russia” exhibition.
The International Exhibition Forum “Russia” at VDNKh has become arguably one of the main events of the past year. Here, on one platform, the country’s most important achievements in the fields of science and technology, economy and industry, sports, and culture are gathered. Each visitor will likely find something interesting and useful. But how can one visit the exhibition to their advantage without wasting extra time and resources? Let’s discuss…
Planning your visit
It’s best to visit the exhibition on weekdays during the first half of the day. The closer it gets to the evening, the more crowded it becomes, and on weekends and holidays, it’s especially crowded. They say that in some pavilions, you might end up waiting in line for as long as two hours.
When planning to visit the exhibition, it’s better to make a plan in advance. Visit the website https://russia.ru/ and study the schedule. For instance, Monday is a technical day, and during the New Year holidays, the exhibition operates on a special schedule. Admission is free, but some events require separate registration.
Since the exhibition is very large, it’s almost impossible to cover it all in one day. It’s better to decide what specifically you want to see, which events to attend, and figure out what places are a must-visit and what can be explored later. If you’re willing to spend several days touring the exhibition, plan where to go on the first day, where on the second, and so on.
The exhibition consists of 131 exhibitions located in 30 pavilions across the entire territory of VDNKh. But you don’t necessarily have to walk through it all. Free shuttles and electric buses No. 533 run from the VDNKh metro station, taking you wherever you want to go.
When planning to visit an exhibition, it is better to make a plan in advance
Photo: russia.ru/ Kirill Zykov/ Host photo agency RIA Novosti
From verses to atoms
If you’re walking from the VDNKh metro station, like most visitors, you’ll probably start your tour with the digital gallery “Achievements of Russia” located right at the main entrance. Here, visitors move to music through a long tunnel-like structure while interactive projections on the walls showcase Russia’s successes in various industries, such as the space sphere.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is Pavilion No. 75 (“Expo”), which showcases all 89 Russian regions, including the newly annexed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Each stand displays photos, videos, and models of the main attractions of that region. Many also feature popular locally produced goods. For instance, the Orenburg region stand exhibits traditional downy shawls, while the Ulyanovsk region presents a model of an aircraft.
Kaluga region. Flights into space
Photo courtesy of the author
There are many stands showcasing national costumes and musical instruments. Some offer tasting sessions of local food products, but tastings might involve a fee. At the Ryazan region stand, readings of Esenin’s poetry are held since the famous poet originated from there.
Tea with bagels is the Russian way!
Photo courtesy of the author
Almost unanimously recognized as the most popular pavilion is “Atom.” Long queues form there. The pavilion consists of seven floors, three of which are underground. The exhibits focus on Russian nuclear energy. Right after the turnstiles, there’s a large demonstration stand explaining the transformation of nuclear fuel into electricity.
“Starting the tour from the lower floors is better,” recommends blogger Artem B., who visited the exhibition. “Each floor embodies thematic events in chronological order. Moving from bottom to top, you’ll literally trace the history of the development of nuclear energy in Russia.”
Almost everyone unanimously recognizes Atom as the most popular pavilion.
Photo: russia.ru/ Kirill Zykov/ Host photo agency RIA Novosti
All models, layouts, and interiors are made to full size and with attention to detail. For example, on the lower floors, there are headquarters for emergency communications with development centers. Here, you can also see inventions by Soviet and Russian engineers, including the magnificent “Tsar Bomba” AN-602 developed by a group led by academician I.V. Kurchatov.
Moving up a bit, you’ll encounter the “Atomgrad” project – a collective image of all cities powered by nuclear energy; basements of a German uranium plant; a plant for plutonium production; a test site for nuclear trials in Semipalatinsk.
The exhibits on the uppermost floors are dedicated to the broader application of nuclear energy. These include cars with atomic engines, ships, icebreakers, submarines, airships, and more. In one area, there are four booths where you can have a conversation on “secret” phones.
The exhibition has numerous “industry-specific” pavilions. Next to “Expo” stands a small pavilion D (“Our Culture / Feel Russia / Mountains of Emotions”), themed around travels across the country. Here, you can visit photo zones with views of Russia’s most picturesque places. In the “Big Volga” zone, you can take a photo with a fishing rod, and in the “Caucasus” zone, you can ride a model cable car. By the way, from time to time, contests are held in the tourist pavilion where trips to famous Russian resorts are raffled.
Sakhalin region stand
Photo: russia.ru/ Maxim Blinov/ Host photo agency RIA Novosti
In the “Sber” pavilion, there’s a chance to see the first savings bank in the Russian Empire from the 19th century, familiarize yourself with a collection of ATMs from the earliest models to the very latest, ride in unmanned public transport, and take a virtual tour of a “smart” city.
For adults and children.
Around 500 different tours take place daily on the grounds, catering to both children and adults.
“We visited the exhibition with our child,” says Galina K. “Everything is very interesting, especially the zones with various interactive toys which caught my son’s attention. The only inconvenience is that you sign up for some events and tours, and they all take place at different times—some in the morning, some in the evening, making it problematic to visit them all in one day.”
During the New Year holidays, when there’s no rush, you have the opportunity to stroll along an alley decorated with Christmas tree decorations in the style of the folk art of each region, and learn how the main holiday of the year is celebrated in different parts of Russia. In early January, there will also be workshops on making New Year and Christmas decorations, painting Christmas gingerbread, the New Year immersive show “Historical Christmas Tree,” morning performances for the whole family where parents and children can embark on a magical journey into the past and compete for prizes from Ded Moroz (Father Frost), and much more.
Samara stand
Photo courtesy of the author
Visit Prostokvashino
After wandering around the exhibition for a few hours, you’ll probably want a snack or even lunch. There are enough food and drink vendors on the VDNKh territory, but prices in most cases are quite high, similar to regular Moscow catering establishments.
“A full lunch in a cafe for one person costs at least 1500 rubles,” complains visitor Julia G.
However, you can find a budget-friendly option. It’s “Novo-Prostokvashino,” the territory of an urban farm. There’s a bakery, a cheese factory, and a cafe. But the most attractive option here is the stalls where you can buy meat pies with beef and pork for 30 rubles, blueberry buns for 15 rubles, and chicken nuggets for 20 rubles per serving. Tea costs 50 rubles, but hot fruit drink is only 5 rubles. If desired, you can have a satisfying meal for around 100 rubles.
Every visitor will certainly be able to find something interesting and useful
Photo: russia.ru/ Maxim Blinov/ Host photo agency RIA Novosti
Is the “Russia” exhibition worth visiting? The answer is definitely “yes.” No matter what you’re interested in life—be it history, culture, science, sports, music, or internet technologies—you will undoubtedly find spectacles, activities, or entertainments to your taste here. Perhaps you might even learn or discover something useful.
By Irina Shlionskaya