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Russia Pavilion

The main theme of Expo 2012 — “The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities” — holds a singular importance for Russia, as the country is bounded by the waters of three oceans: the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

Russia has been a frequent participant of international World Fairs since the first exhibition was held in Paris in 1900. Moreover, its participation in this tradition has not remained unnoticed, as Russia has received numerous accolades for its pavilions at previous World Expos.

Russia’s main goal at Expo 2012 is to present the country as an ecologically aware nation which recognizes the great value of the ocean’s vast resources, is able to use said resources effectively, and invests in developing and preserving its extensive coastal areas.

The mascot of the Russia Pavilion is a white bear cub which holds the pavilion’s logo — a cube made entirely out of water. The pavilion’s slogan is “Ocean and Man: the Path from the Past to the Future.” And, of course, this path lies in the Arctic region — an important part of the world ocean.

Russia’s goal was to implement innovative technologies which would give the pavilion a fresh look and, at the same time, keep the exhibition accessible to all guests, because Expo 2012 is aimed at a wide audience, including children.

The symbol of a path, which is central to the cultures of Asian nations, served as the basis of the thematically elaborate Russia Pavilion. Each section of the pavilion marks a step in the relationship of man and ocean: from discovery to exploration, from exploration to use, from use to development, from development to preservation.

The Tunnel of Ice, which the visitors must pass through in order to gain admission into the historical section of the pavilion, allows our guests to acquaint themselves with the heroic deeds of the Arctic explorers. The tunnel boasts authentic museum exhibitions (the Museum of the World Ocean) demonstrating the gradual exploration of the Arctic plains by the heroic Russian seamen.

Next, the visitors step onboard the Rossiya atomic ice breaker. While aboard the ice breaker, visitors watch the film “Arctic Through Time and Space,” which centers on an appeal by the Russian people for the preservation of the region’s fragile nature.

Upon descending from the vessel, guests find themselves in a harbor where an interactive 3-D show will take them deep into the ocean in the MIR apparatus. The visitors will become witnesses to one of the greatest geographical discoveries: the sub-glacial Lake Vostok in the Antarctic.

Next, the Knowledge Zone is represented by a Digital Library contained on portable iPads. All materials appear in Russian, English, and Korean, and are grouped into eight main themes: Arctic, Antarctic, Oceanic Research, The Ocean’s Energy and Resources, Ecology and Ecosystems, Oceans and Cities, New Oceanic Technologies, and Let’s Protect the Ocean Together. All this valuable information helps to further develop the main theme of Expo 2012, highlighting the close ties between the ocean and the Russian people.

A special app, available from the App Store, the Android Market, and the official site of the Russian Pavilion, can be used to access all the information contained within the exhibition from any place in the world, enabling those people who do not have an opportunity to visit Expo 2012 to familiarize themselves with the content of the Russia Pavilion.

Realistic models of a new-generation atomic ice breaker, passive protection systems of modern NPPs (both provided by the Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation), a Tidal Power Station built on the Kola Peninsula, and the famed deep submersible MIR are all presented in thiz zone.

The Navigational Simulator of the Transas Group gives visitors a rare chance to become a captain of a sea vessel, be it a small rescue boat assisting in clearing up an oil spill or a large transport ship which is making its way through the Arctic.

In the Cultural Heritage Section, rare photographs made by participants of Arctic expeditions provide a glimpse of the heroic exploits of Russian explorers who went into the frozen Arctic plains. All photographic materials have been provided by the Moscow House of Photography. Some of the photos displayed were taken more than 100 years ago.

After a walkthrough of the gallery, guests approach a special stand which runs promotional videos for Russia’s bid in hosting Expo 2020 in Yekaterinburg, one of Russia’s most important scientific, technical, and industrial centers with 45 higher-education institutions and 20 research institutes. The proposed main theme is “Global Mind: Uniting All Humanity in a Single Conversation.”

A cozy bistro gives guests an opportunity to try some of the delicacies for which Russia is justly famous, while the souvenir shop is stacked with authentic Russian gifts engraved with the symbols of the Russia Pavilion.