More than 65,000 visitors and 4,000 guided tours: "Geography Lessons" exposition closes at the National Centre RUSSIA
The "Geography Lessons" exposition has come to a close at the National Centre RUSSIA. For more than three months, the venue echoed with guides' stories about maps and natural treasures, pioneering explorers and distant constellations, while visitors admired globes, polar explorers' personal belongings, historic means of transport and many other unique exhibits. Guests traced how the country's borders evolved, learned about great expeditions and trade routes, discovered how Siberia was explored and railways were built, and even took part in recreated geography lessons in a traditional classroom setting.
The "Geography Lessons" exposition opened at the National Centre RUSSIA on 3 April and closed on 9 July. It became a major attraction for everyone who loves Russia and wants to learn more about its history, while also drawing significant interest from international visitors. Over the course of its run, the exposition welcomed more than 65,000 visitors. Guides of the National Centre RUSSIA led around 4,000 engaging tours through the eight themed halls, while more than 10,000 visitors chose to explore the exposition independently, without joining a guided tour but with no less enthusiasm.
The creators of the exposition transformed the history of cartography into an engaging journey across the vast expanses of the country. Eight themed halls — from a gallery of ancient maps to an unusual space dedicated to caricatures — told the story of how Russia explored its territories, charted sea routes and railways, opened up new frontiers and reached for space. Special attention was given to the country's natural wealth, military achievements and the way Russia was perceived by foreign contemporaries. The atmosphere of these "lessons" was complemented by a hall styled as a traditional geography classroom, complete with authentic school desks, globes, vintage atlases and chalkboard-painted walls, where visitors enthusiastically left greetings and messages in chalk.
The exposition also featured an extensive educational programme. The welcoming "Geography Classroom" lecture hall hosted talks, workshops and meetings with experts — historians, geographers, travellers and science communicators — for visitors of all ages. Meanwhile, the exposition itself became home to a genuine "Camp of Masters", where interactive stations allowed guests to practise essential outdoor and expedition skills.
The general partner of the "Geography Lessons" project was the Russian Geographical Society. Key partners included the Russian State Library, the State Historical Museum, the Polytechnic Museum, the Faculty of Geography of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography (MIIGAiK), the Federal Archival Agency, the Central Naval Library, and other leading institutions. VK served as the technology partner, while Roscosmos was the industry partner. The general media partner was Vokrug Sveta magazine. Literary partners included AST Publishers and Eksmo Publishers.
The "Geography Lessons" exposition has become one of the largest educational projects of the National Centre RUSSIA, but after its end, life at the venue continues to be full of activities. The "Journey Across Russia" exposition, the Gastronomic Rows featuring traditional cuisine from Russia's regions, and the flagship Department Store RUSSIA project showcasing products and crafts from across the country all remain open on a permanent basis. Very soon, the space previously occupied by "Geography Lessons" will welcome a new exposition dedicated to theatre. Spend your summer at the National Centre RUSSIA, where every visit offers vivid experiences, new knowledge, a sense of pride and lasting inspiration.
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