Seven levels showcase Russia's fascination with nuclear energy.
Moscow's Gigantic Amusement and Trade Center WDNCh introduces a Fresh Attraction: Rosatom Unveils a Comprehensive Display of Nuclear Advancements, from Uranium Mining in East Germany to Atomic Bombs to Icebreakers and Power Plants. The Launch Received Warm Greetings from Indian Prime Minister Modi.
The colossal glass structure labeled "Atom" marks the latest addition to Moscow's Gigantic Amusement and Trade Center WDNCh. Russia commemorates the 85th year of the site with its distinctive architectural designs inspired by Soviet classicism. WDNCh translates to "Exhibition of National Economic Achievements," which showcases vast space exhibits and architectural marvels resembling former Soviet republics such as Uzbekistan and Ukraine. The new star attraction, however, is the seven-story Atom Pavilion, boasting four underground floors, where Russia lauds its passion for atomic energy and nuclear science as a remarkable human achievement.
This exhibition is a journey through time, beginning with the origins of atomic espionage and uranium mining, including in East Germany, to the creation and detonation of the first atomic bombs, leading up to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, and moving forward into the present and future. Visitors are exposed to the ways in which modern nuclear scientists utilize technology to extend food life, make seawater usable, and advance medicine. Rosatom, the nuclear conglomerate, stages this exhibition to present the innovative nuclear icebreaker "Leader," which skillfully navigates through the Arctic on the video screen, aiming to transform the Northeast Passage into one of the world's most frequently used shipping routes.
"Awakening the Curiosity of Young Minds"
During a July excursion with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the exhibition as a "splendid representation of the impact of nuclear technologies" on scientific growth and energy security for humanity. "I believe that this exhibition will intrigue numerous young people to explore the realm of nuclear energy and technology – for the betterment of future generations and our planet," he wrote in the guestbook. Russia clearly represents a crucial ally in India's pursuit of nuclear energy.
The Indian guest also finds the pavilion highly "entertaining," embarking on a subterranean journey with dimly-lit bunker-like halls. It features a reconstructed German loading facility teeming with uranium barrels. It acknowledges the Wismut mining company – but fails to mention the serious health impacts on miners and the environment in East Germany. Wismut was once the Soviet Union's main foreign op eration for uranium mining – for nuclear bomb production.
The hall functions as a tribute to the role of East Germany as a supplier of fissile material during the Cold War. "Over 100,000 individuals were involved in the project, yielding around 100 tons of uranium each year!" a plaque reveals. This facilitated the creation of atomic weapons in record time.
The Largest Hydrogen Bomb Ever Made
The initial halls are dedicated to the origins of atomic energy. A room mimicking a secret spy photo analysis lab illustrates the story of renowned Soviet spies who obtained information in the West, including from Germany. It honors Klaus Fuchs, a German physicist and communist who worked on the atomic project in America and provided documents to Soviet agents, thereby accelerating the work of the country's scientists.
Reconstructions of living spaces spotlight the living conditions in both the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. A section devotes attention to the first Soviet atomic test in Kazakhstan – 75 years ago on August 29, 1949, approximately 170 kilometers from the city of Semipalatinsk. Viewers can peek through a concrete slit at an expansive steppe landscape from which an immense mushroom cloud ascends into the atmosphere after the explosion.
Ultimately, nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov appears, akin to his similarly honored American counterpart Robert Oppenheimer, who sounded the alarm about the dangers of nuclear weapons. In a small cinema, a recording of Sakharov's journey – from inventor of the Soviet hydrogen bomb to leading human rights advocate – is played. A model of the Tsar Bomba, a hydrogen bomb with unprecedented explosive power at the time, graces the center of a room.
While Russia, the world's second-largest nuclear power, also pays homage to numerous nuclear disarmament treaties that are now relics, President Putin frequently voiced warnings of Moscow's potential for weapons of mass destruction during his confrontation with the West in the Ukraine conflict. He simultaneously expressed caution against a new arms race and urged new international security agreements. However, negotiations with the USA regarding this matter are not on the horizon.
Approximately a million visitors are expected at the event, where pride in weaponry is apparent, with displays of rockets and a walk-through model of an atomic submarine. However, the primary focus is on promoting nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the construction of new power plants, and the futuristic city of Atomgrad, already showcased here and accentuated by a pop song featuring the lyric "Our atomic love, our atomic love."
Alongside displays of new nuclear power plant models, visions of an atomic car and helicopter are also included. Russia positions itself as a partner for other countries in constructing nuclear power plants. Over a dozen countries receive nuclear fuel from Russia, one of the world's largest uranium producers. This stands in stark contrast to Germany's phase-out of nuclear power, which often leaves Russia bewildered.
The Atom Pavilion, built in six years, signifies Russia's bright future, according to Alexander Novak, deputy prime minister for energy issues. Alexei Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, is essentially compelled to label the "best technical museum on the globe," which is expected to attract millions of visitors within its inaugural year alone.
At educational institutions, you've got labs for various subjects, a library filled with knowledge, science contests, and internship opportunities. The pavilion is adorned with conference rooms for scientific symposiums, a cutting-edge cinema screening a science film festival, and a spacious rooftop eatery with an open terrace, providing a glimpse of a piece of the extensive VDNKh parklands.
The Atom Pavilion within WDNCh houses a comprehensive display of Rosatom's nuclear advancements, showcasing the role of East Germany in uranium mining for nuclear bomb production.
As a testimony to the country's historical involvement in nuclear energy, the pavilion features a reconstruction of the German loading facility used for uranium extraction during the Cold War.
