Russian Sailboats to Feature in Photo Exhibition at World Public Assembly
Moscow, Russia – August 2025: Participants of the World Public Assembly (WPA) will be treated to a unique cultural experience with the photo exhibition “Russian Sailboats in Latin America,” capturing the essence of public diplomacy through stunning artistic images.
The exhibition documents the 2019–2020 expedition of Russian training sailboats Kruzenshtern, Sedov, and Pallada, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by Russian navigators Thaddeus Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev.
During their voyage, the ships visited Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile, hosting thousands of guests at port stops and organizing events celebrating Russia’s historical milestones — including the victory over fascism during World War II.
One of the most memorable moments was the rendezvous of all three sailboats in the South Atlantic, followed by a 200-mile regatta near the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia, carried out under the challenging conditions of a nine-point storm.
“The entry of the Kruzenshtern into a port in any country is always a huge celebration for local residents,” said Nikita Anisimov, member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, who will moderate the WPA session “Latin America – Greater Eurasia: The Era of New Strategic Opportunities.” “It is a unique and highly effective format of public diplomacy that demonstrates the Russian presence in the farthest corners of the world.”
The exhibition, authored by Alexey Bondarev — a member of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia and an organizer of the Antarctic Cruise — also includes works by photographers Vasily Semidyanov, Eduard Molchanov, Evgeny Romanenko, and Pallada captain Nikolai Zorchenko.
Managed by Kaliningrad State Technical University, the Kruzenshtern barque will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. Today, it serves as a training vessel for over 140 cadets on each voyage, including students from international marine academies.
The exhibition is supported by the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and the World Public Assembly and will be a visual centerpiece of the global dialogue platform in Moscow.