On July 22, a special event was held in the city of Busan (Republic of Korea) to present VDNKh as a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The event was organized with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to UNESCO and its Permanent Representative, Rinat Alyautdinov.
A special event dedicated to the presentation of VDNH for inclusion in the main List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites was held on July 22 in Busan (Republic of Korea). It was organized with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to UNESCO and personally by Permanent Representative Rinat Alyautdinov.
The event was attended by Rinal Alyautdinov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to UNESCO, Sergey Shogurov, General Director of VDNH, Elena Galaktionova, Executive Secretary of the Russian Federation Commission for UNESCO, and Elena Galaktionova, Director of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The event was also attended by Nadezhda Filatova, Deputy Director and Head of the Department of World Heritage and International Communications at the Heritage Institute, Vice President of the National Committee of ICOMOS, representatives of the Russian Ministry of Culture, and international heritage experts from China and Lebanon.
Since December 2025, VDNH has been on the preliminary list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sergey Shogurov spoke about the exclusivity of the architectural ensemble and the global historical and cultural significance of the Exhibition.
"VDNH's uniqueness lies in its multinational and multicultural nature. The ensemble was originally designed to embody the diversity of the country, with the republic’s pavilions showcasing a wealth of national motifs, ornaments, and decorative elements. This idea is particularly evident in the "Friendship of Peoples" fountain, where 16 female figures in traditional costumes symbolize the unity and prosperity of the Soviet republics. Thus, visiting VDNH became a symbolic journey through the union of cultures," said Sergey Shogurov.
He also drew attention to the stylistic multi-layered nature of VDNH and the good preservation of its palace and park ensemble. The Exhibition, which covers 325 hectares, is home to 49 cultural heritage sites of federal significance. Moreover, the historical part of the complex has been recognized as a landmark. Not only the pavilions are protected, but also the arches, fountains, and unique landscape areas.
The preservation of historical and cultural monuments has been made possible through the VDNH Revival program, which was launched in 2014 on the initiative of Sergei Sobyanin. As part of the program, large-scale restoration of cultural heritage sites was carried out. The main goals of the program are to preserve the original historical appearance and location of the sites, as well as to restore their active event life.
The preservation of historical and cultural monuments has been made possible through the VDNH Revival program, which was launched in 2014 on the initiative of Sergei Sobyanin. As part of the program, large-scale restoration of cultural heritage sites was carried out. The main goals of the program are to preserve the original historical appearance and location of the sites, as well as to restore their active event life.
Sergey Shogurov added that the implementation of the VDNH Revival program has increased the attractiveness of the territory and significantly increased the number of visitors. Every year, more than 30 million Muscovites and guests of the capital come here. In terms of attendance, the Exhibition is on a par with the main symbol of the country, Red Square. Thanks to the decoration of the historical pavilions, the picturesque landscape area, and the variety of sculptural compositions, visiting VDNH has become a good tradition for many generations and remains in their memory for many years.
The General Director of VDNH also expressed his gratitude to UNESCO for its attention to the Exhibition as a unique masterpiece of 20th-century architecture. He noted that the inclusion of the complex in the UNESCO World Heritage List would be a great honor and a significant responsibility for the Exhibition team. This recognition of the exceptional value of the complex is not only for Russia, but for the entire world. The staff of VDNH will continue their work to preserve and restore all cultural heritage sites in full compliance with the rules established by UNESCO.
During the event, a documentary about VDNH was presented to the experts. It allowed visitors to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the country's main exhibition.
During the event, a documentary about VDNH was presented to the experts. It allowed visitors to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the country's main exhibition.
