Gleb Nikitin: 130 years ago, Nizhny Novgorod became the capital of progress for 125 days.

      May 5, 2026 12:50 Culture and Leisure NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Maria Orlova In 1896, Nizhny Novgorod became the capital of progress in the Russian Empire for 125 days — this is how Governor Gleb Nikitin characterized the significance of the XVI All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition. The head of the region mentioned this at a press conference at TASS dedicated to the opening on May 29 of the multi-format exhibition "Great All-Russian" (6+), timed to the 130th anniversary of the industrial and art exhibition. According to Gleb Nikitin, the 1896 exhibition was a major event for the entire country and showcased the achievements of Russian industry, science, and culture at the end of the 19th century. He emphasized that none of the previous or subsequent exhibitions received such international resonance and media coverage. This is why the event is firmly established in history as "Great." In 1896, Nizhny Novgorod became the first non-capital city to host an exhibition of such scale. In a very short time, 170 pavilions were built, showcasing the leading achievements in science, technology, and art. Among them were Shukhov's hyperboloid tower, Popov's radio receiver, and the first Russian car. The exhibition also influenced the development of the urban environment. At that time, a new building for the drama theater was opened, and a city museum was created, the collections of which later formed the basis of the collections of the Nizhny Novgorod Museum-Reserve and the Art Museum. Additionally, the city became the first in the territory of modern Russia where an electric tram began operating and a funicular was built. However, as the governor noted, the event remained undervalued at the federal level for a long time. Residents of other regions often confuse the exhibition with the Nizhny Novgorod Fair, although these are different phenomena. "The task of our exhibition project is to restore historical justice. And the main thing here is not nostalgia, but the desire to show the connection of eras," Nikitin emphasized. According to him, the exhibition demonstrates how the ideas of 1896 have developed in industry, transport, communication, and urban technologies. The "Great All-Russian" exhibition will take place at the cultural center "Pakhgauzy" on Strelka. The metal structures of the building are connected to the history of exhibition architecture of the 19th century and are themselves part of this heritage. The preparation of the project took about two years. In addition to archival materials and authentic exhibits, modern technologies are involved in the exhibition. Visitors will be offered a virtual tour of the exhibition town, an augmented reality application to "revive" the 3D model, as well as digital solutions using artificial intelligence. "Technology here is not decoration, not an attraction, but a language with which this great story can be retold today," the governor noted. It was previously reported that a program (6+) of two dozen events has been prepared for the anniversary of the XVI All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition. It was also announced that in the fall, a model of the historical exhibition area will be installed at Strelka near the Pakhgauzy, and then moved to the 1st of May Park. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+