Elon Musk's father in Nizhny Novgorod: "Everything I was told about Russia is untrue."

      NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Anastasia Nazarova

      South African entrepreneur, engineer, and politician Errol Musk – the father of American billionaire Elon Musk – visited Nizhny Novgorod. The trip was part of his two-week stay in Russia: he previously visited the Vladimir region and Tatarstan.

      Musk met with Nizhny Novgorod scientists, government representatives, and foreigners who have moved to the region. In a conversation with Nizhny Novgorod journalists, he shared his views on science, investment, space, and his own experiences getting to know Russia. Details are in the material from NIA "Nizhny Novgorod."

      A Focus on Science

      One of the key points of the program was a visit to the IT campus "Neimark." There, Errol Musk learned about the infrastructure, working conditions for tech teams, and spoke with representatives of the scientific community.

      The meeting was attended by Deputy Governors of the Nizhny Novgorod region Dmitry Starostin and Ekaterina Solntseva, as well as Minister of Science and Higher Education Viktor Anisimov. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation with the IT university, including the creation of joint laboratories and the development of scientific research. Among the topics were fundamental questions such as the study of dark energy and gravity.

      The topic of longevity was also discussed, Musk said at a press conference on April 10. According to him, modern methods, including genomic analysis, allow for the identification of predispositions to diseases and potentially increase life expectancy. He reminded that before World War I, the average life expectancy of European women was about 39 years, while today it reaches 83-87 years – a clear result of the development of science and medicine.

      Tesla in Nizhny Novgorod. Why not?

      Speaking about cooperation with Russia, Errol Musk emphasized that he sees no serious obstacles. He called Western sanctions "nonsense," explaining them as envy.

      In his opinion, Russia has high investment potential. Moreover, it is not only about finances but also about people's willingness to invest time and effort in long-term projects. "I see many opportunities here for building factories for large companies. Even Tesla could build its factory here. In my opinion, there are no obstacles to this," he noted.

      Errol Musk with Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Dmitry Starostin.

      Mars can wait. First, the Moon!

      In response to journalists' questions about the colonization of Mars, Errol Musk admitted that he regularly thinks about this topic. According to him, there are many arguments in favor of such projects, as well as serious doubts – in particular, regarding the possibility of reaching Mars with modern rockets.

      He also cited the position of his eldest son: Elon Musk believes that flights to Mars are unlikely in the near future and will therefore focus on creating bases on the Moon. This approach, in Errol Musk's opinion, is more realistic and practical.

      At the same time, he allowed that in the future – in about 60-100 years – technologies may emerge that allow for "gravitational jumps" through space and time, which would open the way to Mars and other planets.

      Russia Without Stereotypes

      During his communication with the press, Errol Musk repeatedly noted that Moscow is incredibly beautiful. Moreover, he considers it "the most beautiful capital."

      At the same time, the entrepreneur candidly shared that his perceptions of the country were long shaped by widespread stereotypes in the West about supposedly dangerous and unsafe life in Russia.

      When he was invited to a forum in Moscow last year, his family and friends tried to dissuade him from the trip. However, he came anyway and, according to him, was surprised. He noted the calm atmosphere in the cities, the sense of safety, and the behavior of people: "Women and children walk the streets calmly, without worrying about anything." According to his observations, Russians seem to be honest people inclined to follow rules.

      "Everything I was taught from childhood and told in adulthood about Russia turned out to be untrue," he emphasized, adding that he now shares this in the Republic of South Africa and the USA.

      The Confluence Made an Impression

      Nizhny Novgorod itself also made a strong impression on the guest. During his visit, he managed to get acquainted with the city, but he was particularly struck by the Confluence – the place where the Volga and Oka rivers meet.

      "I was enchanted and wanted to get closer, to touch the water," he shared.

      The visit program included a walk around the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, laying flowers at the Eternal Flame, and a ride on the funicular.

      In addition, Musk spoke with foreigners who moved to the region with the support of the "OKA" agency. To date, more than 100 people have moved to the Nizhny Novgorod region, and about 1,200 applications are under consideration.

      "For us, it is important when foreigners who have moved to Russia share their emotions and knowledge about how we live here, how many opportunities Russia provides for people who show interest in it," said the director of the "OKA" agency, Jakob Pinneker.

      Music Lover Errol Musk was gifted vinyl records in Nizhny Novgorod

      with songs by Vladimir Vysotsky and compositions by Mily Balakirev.

      "Cheers!"

      At the end of the meeting, Errol Musk also shared personal impressions. He admitted that he tried Russian vodka. But drinking it in large quantities is difficult – it's just too strong.

      The entrepreneur also mentioned that he started learning the Russian language: he has already mastered the alphabet and knows a few simple words. For example, "thank you," "no," "cheers."

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