Rosatom celebrated its 80th anniversary in Nizhny Novgorod: the event through experts' eyes

      On August 20, an anniversary event "Era of Dreamers" (16+) dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the state corporation Rosatom took place in Nizhny Novgorod. More than 30,000 spectators gathered at the city's main stadium, including 20,000 Rosatom employees.

      A congratulatory message to the industry's employees, which includes more than 400 enterprises and organizations, was sent by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The message was read by the First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the state corporation Rosatom, Sergey Kiriyenko.

      The spectacular show staged by Igor Krutoy, featuring famous national artists, was opened by Rosatom’s Director General Alexey Likhachev, who accompanied himself on guitar. Together with the band Uma2rman he performed a song dedicated to Nizhny Novgorod — one of the centers of the Russian nuclear industry.

      Nizhny Novgorod’s and Russia’s nuclear workers were also congratulated by the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin. He thanked his colleagues "for choosing the venue and for the incredible celebration."

      The show-concert "Era of Dreamers" became one of the central events of Rosatom’s anniversary celebrations. The state corporation's festive calendar spans several weeks and includes a variety of events — from the international forum World Atomic Week, which will be attended by leaders of foreign states, to a marathon of concerts in the country's "atomic" cities.

      Joining the congratulations, we invited experts to reflect on the role Rosatom plays today in the country's economy and the place occupied by Nizhny Novgorod’s nuclear workers in its activities.

      Evgeny Semyonov, Deputy Chairman of the Public Chamber of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Head of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of FoRGO, political scientist, Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor:

      "In my view, President Vladimir Putin said most accurately and succinctly about the significance of Rosatom in his address to the corporation’s employees. Indeed, 'the nuclear industry rightfully embodies Russia's technological might, and thanks to the professionalism and selfless work of many generations of talented scientists, engineers, and specialists of Rosatom, a reliable "nuclear shield" of the Motherland has been created.' The contribution of Nizhny Novgorod residents to the development of the industry is also well known. Perhaps even too well known, which is why the fact that in the second half of the 20th century the city of Gorky became a closed city was largely connected precisely with the development of the domestic nuclear project."

      Elena Mozgunova, historian, Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor at the Nizhny Novgorod Institute of Management — a branch of RANEPA:

      "The state corporation Rosatom occupies a significant place in the country's economy. I believe that when assessing the company's role, one should start from the declared values and, most importantly, their correspondence to practical activity: safety, efficiency, respect, one team, one step ahead, and responsibility for the result. These postulates were formulated more than 10 years ago. Rosatom is a diversified holding that unites more than 400 enterprises in energy, construction, and mechanical engineering."

      Andrey Chugunov, journalist:

      "The maxim that 'Rosatom is not only nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons, but also taxes, technological leadership, the largest employer, social programs, and "atomic cities"' has long become commonplace in conversations about this state corporation. One can cite figures and facts that attest to this (and much more), or one can refrain from citing them: how can one not believe that such an industrial (technological, construction, scientific, educational, etc. — underline as appropriate) giant is one of the pillars of the Russian economy. The Nizhny Novgorod Region has been part of Rosatom's 'nuclear fold' since the very beginning of the industry's development."

      Boris Korsunsky, co-chairman of the regional branch of Delovaya Rossiya, CEO of the Artefact group of companies:

      "Today the state corporation Rosatom is one of the key drivers of Russia's technological and economic sovereignty. It is much more than simply nuclear energy. Rosatom plays a critically important role in several strategic directions. Rosatom is a leader in building nuclear power plants abroad and the largest exporter of high-tech products. Its portfolio of foreign orders for decades to come ensures stable foreign currency inflows to the country's budget. The corporation develops areas without which the future is unimaginable: wind energy, production of new materials, energy storage, and digital products. Rosatom acts as an implementer of the most important state programs. The Nizhny Novgorod Region, and in particular Nizhny Novgorod with its rich scientific and industrial heritage, is one of Rosatom's most important competence centers."

      Andrey Samsonov, research associate at the Privolzhsky branch of FNISTs RAS, senior research associate at the ANO "Research Institute of Problems of Social Governance":

      "Nuclear energy and industry are leaders in modern Russia. This is, perhaps, the only high-tech sector in the country whose capabilities and scientific and technological competencies surpass potential competitors. And it is undoubtedly an industry of the future, whose prospects for the next 30–50 years are clear and understandable. All modern technologies require colossal amounts of energy. So Rosatom's leading position raises no particular questions for at least decades. In Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Rosatom enterprises and research centers have long been concentrated and have significant potential for further expansion of their presence."

      This material was prepared as part of a joint project of NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" and the federal "Expert Club."

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