Russia's 1896 Industrial Legacy Revived in a Groundbreaking 2026 Exhibition

A major multimedia exhibition, Great All-Russia, will open in May 2026 at Nizhny Novgorod's Pakhaus cultural centre. The event marks the 130th anniversary of the historic 1896 All-Russia Industrial and Art Exhibition. Organisers have planned a detailed retrospective, blending original artefacts with modern digital displays.

The 1896 exhibition was a landmark in Russian history. Held outside the imperial capitals for the first time, it covered over 80 hectares and featured 170 pavilions. More than one million visitors attended, making it the largest event of its kind at the time. Today, none of the original pavilions remain, either in their initial form or as reconstructions.

The new exhibition will unfold across six chronological sections. It will trace the origins, planning, and impact of the 1896 event, highlighting its industrial, scientific, and cultural milestones. The project was shaped through discussions involving museums, academics, and tourism experts.

Several organisations have collaborated on the initiative. Key partners include the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Ministry of Culture and the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. Their combined efforts aim to bring the past to life through a mix of authentic museum pieces and interactive technology.

The Great All-Russia exhibition will launch in May 2026 at Pakhaus. It will offer visitors a chance to explore a pivotal moment in the region's history through both physical and digital exhibits. The event builds on extensive research and cross-sector cooperation to recreate the scale and significance of the original 1896 showcase.