About Chemistry: "From a First-Person Perspective"

      The exhibition of photographs titled "From the First Person" opened recently in Dzerzhinsk's Central Park. On thirty panels, you will learn many interesting and informative facts about complex chemical processes through an ecological lens. Moreover, each piece speaks for itself. The ecological photo exhibition "From the First Person" arrived in Dzerzhinsk from Nizhny Novgorod and will travel to Kstovo in August. This extensive journey is timed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the country's largest petrochemical company. Its organizers—SIBUR and the Moscow Design Museum—aim to show that city, industry, and nature can coexist harmoniously.

      According to Nikolay Dudukalov, General Director of SIBUR-Neftekhim, this exhibition breaks stereotypes about the petrochemical industry:

      "The photographs presented in 'From the First Person' reveal the connection between our company and the region, the city, and ecology — the space where we work and live. Together, we are making the world better — safer, more environmentally friendly, sustainable. This is the kind of world we want to pass on to future generations."

      One photo features owls from the Kerzhen River Reserve, another shows juvenile sturgeon, which staff from Nizhny Novgorod SIBUR enterprises released into the Volga after they grew older. Three more panels tell the story of the "three brothers" — industrial giants whose facilities are located in our region. Each photograph is accompanied by a pair of sentences — a first-person narrative: for example, a close-up of an employee on a bicycle, explaining that eco-friendly transportation is the best way to get around the area.

      All photos are taken in various genres by talented Russian photographers. Ruslan Shamukov, Sergey Tatarzhikh, and Evgeny Eremeev depict production and cityscapes; wildlife — wild animals and birds — was captured by naturalists Tatiana Zarubo and Alexey Levashkin. The company's staff and various projects are all presented through an ecological perspective.

      "We have turned industrial aesthetics into art. These 29 images show factories through the eyes of leading photographers in the country. Our goal is to tell about industrial work in an engaging, educational, and interesting way for everyone. So that even children and, of course, their parents, understand how manufacturing works, and every visitor gains some new information. 'From the First Person' showcases not only machinery but also workers — how they work, plant trees, and green cities. It’s a lively story about how clean chemistry creates a better future," said Alexandra Sankova, one of the exhibition’s organizers and General Director of the Moscow Design Museum.

      Before the opening ceremony, a quiz on petrochemistry, industrial ecology, and SIBUR projects was held. Each guest received a tasty gift — a cookie with a prediction, and the main prize was an eco-ball made from recycled plastic.

      Nikolay Dudukalov presented the eco-ball to the quiz winner.

      The Deputy Head of the Dzerzhinsk Administration, Natalya Kitaeva, was an honored guest at the opening. She noted that in this milestone year for the company — 2025 marks SIBUR’s 30th anniversary — many activities are taking place in Dzerzhinsk, including those supported by the unique "Good Deeds Formula" program:

      "SIBUR actively participates in city life. With this exhibition, industry sets new standards of transparency. Thanks to projects like this, residents see that chemistry can be a creative process, and the products are part of everyday life. Remember this next time you wash your hands or fly on a plane — all possible thanks to products manufactured in Dzerzhinsk."

      The ecological photo exhibition "From the First Person" is open to residents and visitors of Dzerzhinsk in the Central Park of Culture and Recreation until August 22, after which it will move to Kstovo, where it will close on September 21. In addition to Nizhny Novgorod, Dzerzhinsk, and Kstovo, this year the "From the First Person" exhibition also takes place in Voronezh, Ufa, Perm, Svobodny (Amur Region), and Moscow.

      The "From the First Person" photo project has been implemented in Russian cities for the second year. Last year, exhibitions were held in Kazan, Tobolsk, Nizhnekamsk, and Moscow. Throughout its run, the ecological photo exhibitions have attracted over 500,000 visitors.

      The exhibit was reviewed by Vera Alexandrova. Photographs were taken by Kirill Martynov.