Evgeny Lyulin was one of the first to assess the readiness of the exhibition "Great All-Russian".

      On May 29, 2026, a multi-format exhibition "The Great All-Russian" (6+) will open in Nizhny Novgorod, dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the XVI All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition. One of the first to visit it before the opening, at the invitation of the Minister of Culture of the Nizhny Novgorod region, was the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Yevgeny Lyulin. The speaker of the regional parliament called this project one of the most interesting in the last decade.

      While inspecting the preparing halls, Yevgeny Lyulin noted how the organizers managed to convey the scale and grandeur of the historical event using modern technologies. In 1896, Nizhny Novgorod became the main venue for engineering and cultural thought of the Russian Empire for four months. It was here that the hyperboloid tower of Shukhov, Popov's lightning rod, and the first Russian car were shown for the first time. The new exhibition, in the speaker's opinion, not only reminds of these breakthroughs but also proves the continuity of generations and the development of domestic science.

      The digital content of the exhibition made a special impression on the guests. With the help of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, visitors will be able to literally step inside historical pavilions, examine the details of buildings and exhibits that have not survived to this day. Yevgeny Lyulin emphasized that just yesterday such immersion in history seemed impossible, and today, thanks to a multi-format approach, it becomes accessible to everyone.

      Six thematic sections of the exhibition reveal not only the history of the organization and construction of the pavilions but also the fates of great compatriots - Fyodor Shalyapin, Maxim Gorky, Dmitry Mendeleev, Mikhail Vrubel, whose names are inextricably linked to the Nizhny Novgorod exhibition. Yevgeny Lyulin noted that the project brings back to memory an entire layer of the great history of All-Russian exhibitions, which for a long time was known only to a narrow circle of local historians and archivists.

      "The work on the exhibition about the historical exhibition of 1896 has been going on for several years, and the further we go, the more interesting this project becomes. We talk about the prerequisites, preparation, and the very conduct of the exhibition, about the achievements of industry, science, and culture presented 130 years ago, about the path they took, how they transformed, and what technologies can now be called their successors. And about the people, of course! A colossal number of people were involved in the exhibition, including emperors, ministers, outstanding architects, scientists, inventors, artists, photographers, journalists, and many others," said the Minister of Culture of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Natalia Sukhanova.

      Summarizing the inspection, the speaker of the regional parliament emphasized the social and educational significance of the event. In his opinion, seeing the exhibition will be equally interesting and useful for professional historians, architects, and engineers, as well as for young people and schoolchildren. The exhibition will run until November 4, and Yevgeny Lyulin expressed confidence that it will become an event not only of Nizhny Novgorod but also of all-Russian scale, once again proving the greatness of Russia and its leading role in world science and culture.

      "What seemed impossible just yesterday is now completely real. We can not only read in books about the achievements of 1896 but, with the help of modern technologies, step inside that very pavilion, see the first Russian car, or walk through the territory of the exhibition town. This exhibition is like a time machine: it shows that Russia was a leading power and proves to the younger generation that being an inventor and engineer is honorable and interesting. I am sure that everyone who comes to the Packhouses before November 4 will feel proud of our country," said the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Yevgeny Lyulin. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major 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+.