All Russian Exhibition Center

So I've been wanting to blog about this place I went to a few weeks ago but just kept putting it off for various reasons like bombings, Petersburg, school. So I'm making myself do it now at 1am!

Built in the late 1930's, the purpose of the now called All Russian Exhibition Center was to be a permanent exhibition center in Moscow and that's exactly what it is. So that doesn't sound so exciting, but it really is just one huge collection of Soviet Propaganda. The complex consists of a few hundred buildings representing the various regions and industries of the Soviet Union. Also, this was a great chance for the Soviets to show off their architectural skills which is the best part.

I have affectionately nicknamed this the "Soviet Epcot" (like in Disney World where they have all the different countries).

First is the main gate leading into the park. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the collectivized farmers holding up their prized wheat! There is nothing like wholesome wheat to get the Soviets excited which is a common theme through out the former USSR states.





Next is the Pavilion to the Russian people.
It was nicely topped with a star and located behind a statue of our dear Lenin! It's a big building and represents the Soviet constructions at the time. Notice the similarities between it and my university (tower, statues, star...wheat).





Moving along, we find a large fountain (turned off of course) and some buildings representing Kyrgyzstan, Science and a camel...







Farther along we see my favorite of all the buildings. This is the pavilion to Ukraine. These pictures do not do justice to the intricate detail that was put into it. Nor does it show how much neglect there has been. But the tile work is amazing, if you zoom into the picture of the hammer and sickle on the Soviet emblem you can see just how amazing these tiles are. The whole building is like that. I hope that they decide to restore it before more damage is done!







Next are buildings that represent not only places but the industries that were so important and vital to the Soviet economy. For example, Space, Electricity and Beef.







Finally here are some pictures of some more impressive pavilions.






This is only a small sample of the buildings on the complex. Every one of them has something inside of it. Most of them are exhibitions where people are selling various products like honey or old military supplies. As you can tell, each building has its own feel and it is obvious that a lot of time and energy was put into this project. It's really sad to see so much of it falling apart though. It was walking through this park that I felt like I was transported to another place and time. It's very weird walking around an area that you know has barely changed in decades.

The last pavilion is new...kind of. As I posted about a few month back, there was a pavilion in the 1937 Expo in Paris where the Soviets won first place for their outstanding pavilion and statue. Well some 70 years later, the pavilion is being reconstructed. It's not quite finished yet but here it is so far!







Along with the center is a great park and a museum to space. Although I haven't been in the museum yet, the park causes me to have very high expectations. I think it's a Moscow tradition to do things big or not at all.





Other than the park from about 3 weeks ago, things here have been great. We went to two cities outside of Moscow called Suzdal and Vladimir. Both cities were small and had very rich histories. It was nice seeing some small cities and observing how other Russians live.
To answer Megan's question she left on my comments from last week, I'll be staying here to do language classes for 3-4 hours a day. Although it would be a blast just to live here and travel, I don't think I could convince anyone to let me do it!
Well that's all for this update. I think I have left enough pictures for everyone to go through for a few days.

-Justin