Gleb Nikitin participated in the opening of the exhibition "Mergers" at the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum.

      The Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Secretary of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Branch of the United Russia Party, Gleb Nikitin, participated in the opening of the exhibition "Mergers. An Exhibition about Coincidences and Confluences" (6+), dedicated to the anniversaries of the Nizhny Novgorod campus of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum. The exhibition brought together over 100 items from museum collections across Russia. The concept of the project is based on Strelka as one of the main visual dominants of Nizhny Novgorod.

      "This is a very good coincidence, a merging of events that allows us to reflect on what leads to success. Success arises from metamorphoses, from collisions. The first result of the union between HSE and the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum is the exhibition 'Mergers.' It features our classical museum, which is over 100 years old. In contrast, the Higher School of Economics is a young university. As a result of this union, we get, on one hand, classical canvases, and on the other – exhibits of absolutely contemporary art, not only in terms of time but also in essence. I believe that the people of Nizhny Novgorod will find this very interesting. I am glad that the creation of the exhibition involved not only professionals, curators, and museum workers but also students. I hope that the collaboration between Nizhny Novgorod's culture and the Higher School of Economics will continue and lead to new interesting projects," noted Gleb Nikitin.

      The project invites viewers to reflect on the past, present, and future of the city, showing how a chain of unexpected events and coincidences related to Nizhny Novgorod has repeatedly influenced the development of domestic culture, science, and industry.

      The exhibition combines over 100 items from museum collections, including the State Russian Museum, the State Scientific Research Museum of Architecture named after A.V. Shchusev, the State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia, the State Museum of the History of Russian Literature named after V.I. Dal, the State Museum of V.V. Mayakovsky, the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum, the Nizhny Novgorod State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, the State Museum of A.M. Gorky, as well as the tourism center "Russian Wings" from Chkalovsk.

      The range of artifacts at the exhibition spans nearly four centuries: the oldest exhibit is a French engraving from 1659 featuring a map of the Volga, while the newest art objects were completed by contemporary artists just days before the opening.

      "The opening of the Higher School of Economics campus in Nizhny Novgorod three decades ago was a fateful event for both the young university and the city with a rich scientific and cultural history. Today, looking back on this journey, we can confidently say: the Nizhny Novgorod HSE has established itself as both a successful academic center and a unique space where new ideas are created, the challenges of the times are contemplated, and the future is born – not only for Nizhny Novgorod but for all of Russia. The 'Mergers' project is a direct reflection of the HSE's philosophy. Our motto: Non scholae, sed vitae discimus – 'We learn not for school, but for life.' This exhibition is living proof that academic thought gains true meaning only when it enters into dialogue with the life of the city, its history, and its people," emphasized Nikita Anisimov, Rector of HSE.

      The "Mergers" exhibition is the result of active interaction between the academic community and the museum environment. The project involved faculty, students, and alumni of HSE – Nizhny Novgorod. Within the framework of the creative laboratory of sound artist Gleb Glonti, students and faculty from the Nizhny Novgorod HSE, as well as active residents of the city, created audio landscapes of Strelka, conducted research, prepared texts for the catalog, and developed an interactive quiz.

      In addition, the design concept and identity of the project were developed at the HSE School of Design. The preparation for the exhibition included open competitions for creating a corporate style and posters for the "Mergers" project, which involved more than 100 young designers and representatives from leading design schools in the country.

      "The thirtieth anniversary of the Nizhny Novgorod campus of the National Research University 'Higher School of Economics' is not just a jubilee date. It is a 'merger of ideas, people, and fates,' a history of coincidences and bold decisions that led to the establishment of the first regional campus of HSE in Nizhny Novgorod. Once, its emergence marked an important turning point in the intellectual life of the city. Today, three decades later, we offer to reflect on this journey through the exhibition project 'Mergers,' through a conversation about our beautiful landscape and the people whose ideas, discoveries, texts, and creative insights changed the direction of the city's movement and gave it a voice. The project has become an educational and research experiment: the university ecosystem has engaged in the work as a full co-author of the museum narrative. The collaboration between students and faculty – artists and mathematicians – transformed the exhibition into a space for interdisciplinary dialogue," said Anna Blyakhman, Director of HSE – Nizhny Novgorod.

      It should be noted that the exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive parallel program, including an international scientific conference, a hackathon, a creative laboratory, a series of author-led audio promenades around the city, mediation and guided tours, discussions, and public lectures, all united by a curatorial concept.

      The exhibition will be open for visits until June 7, 2026. Admission is also available with the "Pushkin Card."

      Let us remind you that the "Pushkin Card" program operates within the framework of the national project "Family," which started in Russia in 2025 at the initiative of President Vladimir Putin. Any citizen of Russia aged 14 to 22 can obtain a virtual card through the "Gosuslugi.Culture" app. The card limit is 5,000 rubles, which is renewed every year on January 1. The money can be spent on visiting museums, theaters, exhibitions, concerts, and cinemas across the country. The event schedule is available on the website: Kultura.RF. In 2026, the bank servicing the "Pushkin Card" changed in all regions of Russia.

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