The International RUSSIA EXPO won the "Crystal Compass" award

The Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia" has become the first winner of the national award "Crystal Compass – 2025." According to the results of the public vote, the project received a record number of votes in the "Public Recognition" category — 41,499. Voting concluded on May 1 on the official website of the award.

The winners in the remaining ten categories were selected by the expert council. The names of the laureates were announced at the official ceremony of the award’s XIII season, which took place on May 29 at the Moscow International House of Music.

The award is presented for outstanding achievements and unique projects in the fields of geography, ecology, scientific research, education, and the preservation of cultural and natural legacy. Crystal and silver statuettes were awarded to representatives from Russia, India, China, Japan, Egypt, Italy, and Nepal. The ceremony was held under the motto "Planet of Heroes."

The RUSSIA EXPO at VDNH, which won the public vote, was the largest cultural event of recent years. Its venues hosted 134 expositions — from all 89 regions of Russia to major federal agencies, public organisations, and leading corporations.

The exposition’s programme combined business, cultural, educational, sports, and youth events, as well as large-scale Regional Days, industry-specific programmes, and national priority themes. Tens of thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad attended the exposition each day.

The organisers held more than 2,000 events — from opera evenings and classical and electronic music concerts to carnival processions, fashion shows, and creative tournaments. The educational programme included lectures, workshops, open dialogues, and sports activities.

The "Crystal Compass – 2025" award ceremony was timed to coincide with the 180th anniversary of the Russian Geographical Society and was supported by the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.

The award was established in 2012 under the auspices of the Russian Geographical Society and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious geographical honours. It is presented annually for contributions to science, ecology, and social development. This year, the award’s style partner was the Indever company.