A school for 1,500 students with its own observatory opened in Arzamas.

      On September 1, a multidisciplinary educational center "Sozvezdie – Suzorye" for 1,500 students began operating in Arzamas. The project was implemented by the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Republic of Belarus under an agreement on bilateral trade and economic, scientific and technical, and humanitarian cooperation, the regional government press service reported.

      The ceremonial opening was attended by the governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation, Alexander Rogozhnik. Honorary guests included Deputy Governor Andrey Checherin, the region’s Minister of International and Interregional Relations Olga Guseva, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Nizhny Novgorod Sergey Malov, the Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Nizhny Novgorod Oleg Shvets, the mayor of Arzamas Alexander Shchelokov, as well as the heads of Belarusian companies that took part in the construction.

      Gleb Nikitin called the opening a landmark event for Arzamas and the region. He stressed that what is being launched is not just a school but a large multidisciplinary center with the telling name "Sozvezdie – Suzorye." The governor recalled the laying of a time capsule with a message to descendants in November 2023 together with then-Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Alexandrovich Golovchenko and noted that the deadlines set for the builders had seemed almost unrealistic, but less than two years later children entered the new complex. According to him, the government of the Republic of Belarus played a key role in the implementation, and he expressed gratitude to all Russian and Belarusian partners, including the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko. The project was conceived as an example of bilateral cooperation against the backdrop of active school construction in the region, and, the governor noted, that goal has been achieved.

      The head of the region added that over the past six years, 39 new schools have been built in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 34 of them with the support of national projects. In 2025 this work continues, including as part of the new national project "Youth and Children." On the first school day, two new schools and two additional buildings for existing institutions are opening in the region — a total of 4,725 places.

      According to Gleb Nikitin, the region is investing substantial funds in education so that children receive the highest possible level of training and become the authors of major achievements, as well as a driving force for the economy, the humanities, culture, education and healthcare. He stressed that the development of youth is the foundation of the future greatness of the region and the country.

      Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation Alexander Rogozhnik noted the significance of cooperation between the two fraternal peoples. He said that upon entering the "temple of knowledge" guests felt a special solemnity, and the performance of the Russian anthem by the entire hall became another vivid moment. The diplomat emphasized the symbolism of the opening in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, when peoples stood together against fascism. He also noted the work of search teams on Belarusian soil, which continue to pay tribute to the fallen liberators, and expressed hope that the words of the anthem, resonating like folk wisdom, will help people remain united, stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of common challenges and move forward.

      The symbolic start of the center’s work was given by the mayor of Arzamas Alexander Shchelokov, the institution’s director Irina Kuzmicheva and the students themselves — a first-grader, the daughter of a participant in the special military operation, and a tenth-grader who has repeatedly taken part in hackathons and science and technology olympiads.

      Alexander Shchelokov recalled that for the third year in a row new educational facilities in Arzamas are opening on September 1. The 1,500-place center will unite students from School No. 3 and the city gymnasium. The children from School No. 3 waited especially long for this day: their previous building was declared unsafe and was lost in 2022, but now they have their school again.

      The project is also important for supplementary education: the space vacated in the gymnasium building will be transferred to the A. V. Stupin Children’s Art School. Ahead of the 250th anniversary of the birth of this outstanding compatriot, a new home will be created here for the first provincial art school in Russia’s history.

      The Nizhny Novgorod Region’s Ministry of Education and Science reported that over 2.3 billion rubles were directed to the construction of the center. Features of the new institution include a specialized engineering and technology class with a robotics module and its own observatory. Astronomy classes will be held both in physics lessons and as extracurricular activities and in additional education programs.

      Guests inspected classrooms for primary grades, biology, chemistry and physics, the cafeteria, the gym, the observatory and other facilities. Gleb Nikitin and Alexander Rogozhnik presented unique books as a gift to the school museum, and in the press center pupils conducted a short interview with the head of the region.

      The governor shared with the children memories of his first school bell and school friends, spoke of his love of mathematics in middle school and an interest in history that developed in his senior years. He advised them to strive to be the best in their chosen field, to persistently master what their hearts are drawn to, and not to be lazy.

      Recall that the national project "Youth and Children" is being implemented on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin from 2025. It comprises nine federal projects and programs: "Russia — the Land of Opportunities," "We Are Together," "Russia in the World," "All the Best for Children," "Leading Schools," "Teachers and Mentors," "Creating a Network of Modern Campuses," "Universities for a Generation of Leaders," and "Professionalism."

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