Exhibition of Moscow’s Achievements Launches at Gostiny Dvor

Moscow has launched the annual festival « Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030, » dedicated to the development of the capital, plans for city modernization, and the life of modern people. On the first weekend after the festival’s opening, a correspondent visited one of the flagship venues at Gostiny Dvor and learned how the future is envisioned by the Moscow city government and whether this vision aligns with the perceptions of the city’s residents.

The exhibition organizers wanted to showcase the scale of the changes happening in the city

The theme of the exhibition at Gostiny Dvor is called « Endless Development with Eternal Values. » And the first eternal value that visitors encountered on their way was a half-hour queue at the entrance. On Saturday evening, it started from the corner of the building on Ilyinka and stretched to the central entrance.

As soon as visitors got inside, it turned out that they had entered from the end: the main entrance to the exhibition, where the exposition chronologically begins, is on the opposite side of Varvarka Street, through beautiful arches with slogans « Moscow – City of the Future. » This way of entering Gostiny Dvor is so unusual for Muscovites that on Saturday there were no queues from that side. But even from the end, another Moscow value was immediately noticeable. « Oh, the scale! » one woman described the huge human figures several stories tall installed in the center of the exhibition. Equally giant hands seemed to push apart the exhibition’s curtains: passing by them, it became unsettling that one’s head was barely the size of a fingernail on these hands.

Those who entered from the « correct » side (from Varvarka) were greeted by staff with guidebooks describing each zone of the exposition. They weren’t sure that anyone would actually read these booklets, so they invited everyone on tours.

The tour guide briefed the gathered crowd, paraphrasing the words of the vice-mayor of Moscow that the organizers « wanted to create a space where every person can at least briefly rest from the daily hustle and bustle. »

All this took place against the backdrop of a huge installation called « Windows of the City’s Opportunities. » The composition consists of a wall with glowing windows, each symbolizing one of the opportunities available to Muscovites. Past the windows, mannequins – gray human figures – climb up ropes along the wall, apparently representing people reaching for these opportunities. Moreover, the windows labeled « Moscow longevity, » « new competencies, » and « start of a successful career » are closer to reach than those located near the ceiling: « new standards in healthcare, » « education, » and « digital services. »

In the technology zone, among flashing information about the number of hospitals and schools renovated in recent years, there are models of buildings whose renovations are not yet completed. For example, one can see what the updated Sklifosovsky Research Institute and new colleges that are still under construction will look like. By the way, they were recruiting students right there: exhibition staff, some of whom are still studying in vocational programs themselves, talked about opportunities to get a profession (if not of the future, then very much needed in the present). They spoke about high employment rates and cooperation with industry partners. But the young audience was clearly interested in something else. A boy about to start first grade seemed to have already asked a hundred questions to one of the college students about how to operate a subway car and « assemble cars. » The student was unfailingly polite and maintained the dialogue, although he later admitted to the correspondent that he was actually studying « tourism. »

The most people gathered in the « health » zone.

At one of its stands, visitors were told about proper nutrition. A drawn cross-section of a man with clearly excess weight had soda cans where his heart should be. A slender athlete’s heart was somehow not visible at all, covered by ribs in the shape of a steak. Nearby hung « Moscow’s health rules, » which, according to the exhibition organizers’ logic, Muscovites should follow. These include, for example, the habits of « thinking positively, » « maintaining social connections, » « getting enough sleep, » and « avoiding stress. » One visitor photographed these rules as a memento and laughed: « Good thing they don’t fine you for breaking these rules. Otherwise, they’ve been replacing asphalt all summer in the mornings – haven’t been able to get enough sleep for

Gostiny Dvor

Gostiny Dvor is a historic Russian term for a large indoor market or merchant yard, with the most famous example located in St. Petersburg. Originally built in the 18th century, it was designed as a central trading place for merchants and has operated continuously for centuries. Today, the St. Petersburg location is one of the world’s oldest and largest shopping arcades, having been transformed into a modern department store while retaining its classical architectural facade.

Ilyinka

Ilyinka is a historic street in Moscow, Russia, known as the city’s traditional financial and commercial center since the 16th century. It is home to the historic Gostiny Dvor merchant arcade and numerous banks, and it leads to the Kremlin’s Savior Gate.

Varvarka

Varvarka Street is one of the oldest streets in Moscow, Russia, located in the historic Kitay-gorod district. It is renowned for its concentration of ancient churches and buildings, including the 16th-century St. George’s Church, which have survived from the time it was a major commercial road. The street’s history is deeply tied to the city’s merchant class and provides a direct link to the architectural and commercial life of medieval Moscow.

Windows of the City’s Opportunities

« Windows of the City’s Opportunities » is a modern public art installation, not a historical site, designed to symbolize urban development and future possibilities. It typically consists of a series of sculptural window frames arranged in a public space, inviting viewers to physically look through them and reflect on their own potential. The concept is a contemporary artistic commentary on progress and the myriad opportunities a city offers its inhabitants.

Sklifosovsky Research Institute

The Sklifosovsky Research Institute is a major emergency medicine and research center in Moscow, Russia. It was originally founded in the early 19th century as a shelter for the poor, funded by Count Sheremetev, and was later named after the renowned Russian surgeon Nikolai Sklifosovsky. Today, it is one of the country’s leading institutions for treating acute trauma and providing critical care.

Moscow longevity

« Moscow longevity » refers to the city’s ongoing cultural initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life and social engagement for its senior citizens. The program, which began around 2018, offers free educational courses, sports activities, and cultural events specifically for older residents. Its history is part of a broader modern effort to promote active and healthy aging within the urban community.

new competencies

I am unable to provide a summary of « new competencies » as it does not refer to a specific place or cultural site. The term typically describes skills, abilities, or areas of expertise that are developed, often in a business, educational, or technological context. For a historical summary, please provide the name of a specific landmark, city, or cultural location.

start of a successful career

This phrase metaphorically refers to a pivotal opportunity or breakthrough moment that launches professional advancement, rather than a physical place. Historically, it has been associated with concepts like a « big break » in entertainment or a first major promotion in corporate life. It symbolizes the foundational step from which ambition and skill can develop into long-term achievement.