Museum of the World Ocean

New aquariums of the Planet Ocean

Aquarium reservoirs at the Planet Ocean are being leak-tested. The volume of the smallest aquarium in the Planet Ocean is 300 litres and the biggest one – 750 tons. The smallest inhabitant is only several centimetres long and the biggest one is up to 3.5 metres. The most part of the aquariums features an individual life support system. According to the concept, on your way to the big hall, where various shark species are going to live, you get to know fauna of water areas in the Kaliningrad region. Then, the route runs through aquariums with dwellers of the rivers of South America, Africa, Oceania, tropical seas and seas of Russia. The museum aquariums and living collection will be several-fold enlarged. “Each exhibition of the Museum of the World Ocean is an invitation to a journey. Aquariums in the new building are going to acquaint visitors with the most exotic inhabitants of the World Ocean. There will be arapaimas, African lungfish, four-eyed fish, mudskippers, archerfish, seahorses, razorfish, lionfish, triggerfish, marine angelfish and freshwater butterflyfish. A tunnel aquarium with a glass ceiling will allow you to see sting rays over your head and the main building will house several shark species. We’re going to “follow” the rivers of different continents to the ocean! Our goal is to bring a concept of the World Ocean’s integrity, its diversity and greatness as well as vulnerability”, - Yuri Trishkin, head for aquariumistics of the Museum of the World Ocean, says. The first “trials” are successful.

Short reference:
General characteristics of the Planet Ocean Museum Complex
Diameter – 42 m
Height – 32.5 m
Total area – 9,973 (about 10,000 m²).
9 floors, including 2 ground floors
Big Ocean Hall, 18 m high
29 aquariums
Water level height in the biggest aquarium – 8 m, in the smallest one – less than 50 cm
Permanent exhibitions: 7 laboratories & library
Cinema & planetarium
7 lifts and lift platforms
Maritime Quantorium, or children’s centre for education
Science Park with the Baltic Sea map
Archimedes and Copernicus scientific sites
More details https://www.world-ocean.ru/ru/planeta-okean

R/V Kosmonavt Viktor Patsayev to open again

On April 12, 2022, the research vessel Kosmonavt Viktor Patsayev is available for visiting. The long-awaited event was announced by the director general of the Museum of the World Ocean Svetlana Sivkova after she signed the agreement with the Kaliningrad Regional Museum of History and Art on a joint handling of ship’s premises for museum exhibitions. As well, the parties concluded a gratuitous contract on the concrete moorage management and reimbursement for utilities.
On December 27, 2021, after a long struggle for the ship’s life, the unique vessel was handed under the wing of the Kaliningrad region. This was possible thanks to Governor Anton Alikhanov’s decision, who supported preservation of the world’s only vessel for space communication with an exhibition aboard and its transfer to the Kaliningrad Regional Museum of History And Art.
“I don’t see the legendary vessel anywhere but at our embankment. I think it would have become something of the past, unfortunately. But there has been an agreement with the “Precision Instrument-Making Systems research and manufacturing company” (branch of the Roskosmos) on gratuitous use of the ship’s rooms for 20 years. It turns out we are going to continue this practice. From April 12, we invite you to the open-air exhibition about the ship’s fortune and get on board, too. Speaking of the ship, I always remember the great cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, my fellow-townsman. I’m sure, he would compliment us”, – Svetlana Sivkova stated after signing the contract.
“Together with the Museum of the World Ocean and the Kaliningrad Regional Museum of History and Art we begin to work at the re-equipment concept in accordance with the tasks stated by the Development Corporation of the Kaliningrad region. The concept includes hotel rooms, public spaces, usage of the existing basketball court, etc. The governor considers an option to allocate funds from the reserve stock, the sum is about 26 million roubles. We will very thoroughly select a contractor since the object is challenging, this is a cultural heritage object and a prominent ship”, – Andrey Yermak, minister for culture and tourism of the Kaliningrad region, noted.
For many years, the Museum of the World Ocean has displayed on board the history of space exploration, cosmonauts from the Kaliningrad region and preparation to flights with unique artifacts and even cosmonauts’ personal belongings. In the “new era”, the celebrity of the Historic Fleet Embankment will shine much brighter: the tour of the Museum of the World Ocean will significantly enlarge and visitors can see research labs as well. Guests can have a glimpse of the epoch of the hero explorers of the Universe, get to know the central timing system and control centre, from where communication sessions between spacecraft and cosmonauts were controlled as well as coordination of spaceship’s systems. And, of course, learn much more about life and spaceflight of V. Patsayev, the vessel is named after. The visit is available in a guided group only.
Short reference:
The research vessel Kosmonavt Viktor Patsayev is the only vessel for space communication in the world featuring an exhibition aboard. It joined the Historic fleet Embankment in 2001. The Kosmonavt Viktor Patsayev witnessed significant victories of the USSR in space exploration. It was a part of the space marine fleet, taking a direct part in providing an antinuclear shield and supporting spaceflights.

Witnesses of feasts

I was born on the April Fools’ Day to become a diplomat.
Otto von Bismarck
They say Russia is in a sulk. No, it isn’t, Russia is summoning its strength.
Alexander Gorchakov

The Grand Embassy historical and cultural centre at the Koenig Gate of the Museum of the World Ocean would like to shed light on one of the most intriguing aspects of diplomats’ business – unofficial negotiations outside workplace, including visits to restaurants.
One of the topics of the permanent exhibition at the Koenig Gate about distinguished people who visited the territory in different epochs, about Peter the Great’s Grand Embassy, origins of the Russian diplomacy; about embassies and consulates is now supplemented with the exhibition ‘Witnesses of Feasts’.
The selection, displayed at the exhibition, was collected in diverse antique shops and flee markets in the Middle Rhine (the cities of Wuppertal, Boppard and Coblenz) by the collector Erik Schperic in the 2000-2010s.
The exhibition features 40 beer mugs – tin, glass, porcelain, faience and ceramic ones; with tin lids or without. Mugs vary in their capacity – from 0.25 to 1 l. A lot of them are true pieces of art – a body features mythic and everyday life motifs, humorous inscriptions and mottos; lids in their turn are decorated with relief ornaments and figurines. Created in the same style, beer jars supplement the collection of mugs.
The artifacts are united into groups by their design topics: cities and states of Germany, holidays greetings, famous literature and hunting scenes. The pieces, produced in Westerwäld, one of the traditional centres of ceramics, take a special place. They stand out with their characteristic gray stone mass and blue slat glaze.
Beer and mugs are cultural phenomena. For example, in Germany beer vessels have always been of great attention and beer mug collecting is one of old hobbies. Traditions of beer mug production are still alive today. Besides functional use, mugs are favourite souvenirs among tourists.
The exhibition is on from February 11. Welcome to the Koenig Gate!

2022 Prussian Cat Week

The Grand Embassy historical and cultural centre at the Koenig Gate is holding a traditional Prussian Cat Week on February 26 to March 12.
The key event is a decorative and applied art exhibition “The Family Album: the Prussian Cat and Its Relatives”, featuring homemade articles by citizens of Kaliningrad! The best works are awarded with prizes by the Museum of the World Ocean and sponsors.
From February 26 to March 12, there will be jolly concerts, quizzes and workshops, devoted to cats. The Week opening is streamed online on Instagram (korolevskie_vorota) due to the pandemic.

Ball, business and diplomatic etiquette at the Koenig Gate

On February 12, the Koenig Gate houses three festivals at once: Koenig Gate Day, Day of Diplomats in Russia and International Book Giving Day.
One of the popular museum objects is directly related to these calendar dates. On February 10, 2005, the Koenig Gate was handed over to the Museum of the World Ocean. This day marks the beginning of the gate’s new life. Unique in regards to complexity degree and terms, restoration started followed by the opening of the gate in July, 2005, thus the revived Koenig Gate became a symbol of the city’s 750th anniversary celebrations. On February 10, a professional day of diplomats is celebrated in Russia. That is an excellent combination with the concept of the Grand Embassy historical and cultural centre at the Koenig Gate, presenting the Russia’s diplomatic mission, famous guests of the region and its links with Russia as well as intersection of cultures.
We are glad to share the programme of activities on February 12:
14.30 – City Hall, diplomatic and business etiquette by the School of Royal Manners.
15.00 – Carriage Passage, workshop on historic and social dancing and ball etiquette.
15.30 – Pharmacy of the Three Kings Hall, “Donate a book” museum’s campaign. The museum is glad to take books about the sea, ships, seafarers, far-away countries and travelers.
16.00 – Carriage Passage. “Diplomacy in Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad” guided tour.
16.30 – “Tea party with Mr Karamzin”, social tea time.

International Forum for Preservation and Adaptation of Maritime Heritage

On February 4, the International Forum for Preservation and Adaptation of Maritime Heritage for Promotion of Culture, Networking for Tourism Development took place at the Museum of the World Ocean. The Forum is a final activity of the cross-border cooperation project Russia-Lithuania 2014-2020 “Adaptation of Maritime Heritage for Promotion of Culture, Networking for Tourism Development”; this was an online conference. The Lithuanian partner is the Lithuanian Sea Museum.
The project contributed to restoration of the cultural heritage object – the lightship Irbensky – the vessel was saved by the museum staff and sponsors. The unique boat was moored at the Historic Fleet Embankment in 2017. It was docked to restore some rooms; then an exhibition, devoted to the history of lighthouse service, was opened aboard.
The next restoration stage was completed within the project “Adaptation of Maritime Heritage for Promotion of Culture, Networking for Tourism Development” (LT-RU-1-022). The works comprised renovation of ship’s systems, including water supply and fire extinguishing; further restoration of rooms with a new exhibition about lighthouses in the Baltic Sea region. As well, holographic films about museum vessels, the history of the Baltic seafaring and shipbuilding were created.
The project was implemented within the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Russia-Lithuania 2014-2020 and financed by the EU and Russian Federation.

On February 3, 1916, the icebreaker Svyatogor was laid at the Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd by the order of the Maritime Ministry of the Russian Empire to continue navigation in the White Sea.

In 1927, the icebreaker was renamed Krassin.

Today, the legendary vessel is a branch of the Museum of the World Ocean in Saint Petersburg. The icebreaker Krassin is opened for visiting on Wednesday to Sunday, at 11-18.

Welcome on board!

THE MASCOTS OF CHINA
SYMBOLS OF THE 2022 WINTER OLYMPICS AND THEIR MEANING

The Giant panda Bing Dwen Dwen and the Chinese lantern Shuey Rhon Rhon have been chosen the mascots of the 2022 Winter Olympics & Paralympics out of 6,000 options.

Bing Dwen Dwen wears an icy costume resembling a spacesuit.

The Giant panda is a national symbol of China, which was also used in the 2008 Summer Olympics. The panda’s costume reminds the world about modern China’s trend to the future and its links with advanced technologies.

According to the legend, Bing Dwen Dwen was walking in a bamboo growth when it encountered and contacted with a mysterious being from space and then gained superpowers.

Now, thanks to the icy costume the panda can skate, ski and board together with Olympic sportsmen.

Shuey Rhon Rhon is an anthropomorphic Chinese baby lantern. Its costumes features the traditional Chinese ornament.

The shining from Shuey Rhon Rhon’s heart symbolizes friendliness, warmth and courage of Paralympic sportsmen.

Culture, traditions and philosophy of China is the major element of the Chinese New Year at the Maritime Exhibition Hall in Svetlogorsk.

A quest on animals of the Chinese horoscope, workshops, martial arts, tea ceremony and Korean dances are waiting for guests.
See you at the Maritime Exhibition Centre in Svetlogorsk on February 5 at 15.30!

Wonders of the Undersea World

Although the Ocean covers 70% of Earth we know so little about it…

Let’s “dive” into the world, where wonders are waiting for you under the water and nature amazes with its fantasy and inventive power.

On February 3, 2022, the display is opening at the Packgaus exhibition centre. It is devoted to the undersea world, comprising sculptures by the famous Moscow sculptor Andrey Martz and photographs by divers who portrayed sea inhabitants in various corners of the World Ocean.

The sculptor created a fascinating sea world in metal. He caught flexible and smooth lines and “extraterrestrial” appearance of deep-sea dwellers of the Ocean.

Many sculptures of inhabitants of seas and oceans are not familiar among a wide circle of visitors, these are ‘Barracudas’, ‘Angler fish’, ‘Swordfish’, ‘Leaffish’, ‘Coelacanth’, etc.

Underwater photographs made by divers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belorussia, Sweden, Germany, the Philippines and Thailand in different seas, oceans, rivers and lakes of the planet are striking features of the exhibition.

Soaring rays, round dancing fish, “space” jellyfish, grand whales and deadly sharks – one can admire them forever! So diverse works, compiled in one room, show versatile underwater world, so wonderful, amazingly beautiful, charming and dangerous but at the same time vulnerable and demanding our protection.

The exhibition ‘Wonders of the Undersea World’ is on from February 4.

Packgaus exhibition centre, daily 10.00-18.00 (except Tuesday).

Today someone has got their small house and table, and someone – an opportunity to do good.

Guests of the Koenig Gate told us they saw fluffy ginger cuties nearby.

The museum staff have mounted a squirrel-feeder next to Poterna exhibition hall.

Now it’s a little left to do – bring treats:
- walnuts and hazelnuts,
- fresh pumpkin seeds,
- dried and fresh apples.

‘Intelligible Science’
Contest

The Museum of the World Ocean runs a public contest ‘Intelligible Science’ for the best popular science work on maritime natural and cultural heritage study. The contest is to promote science and interest in scientific knowledge, discoveries and achievements as well as to widely publicize scientists’ activities. The contest is for Russian scientists, teachers, students, postgraduates and travelers, submitting their individual or collective popular science works published in the past three years.
Contest categories:
• popular science work
• popular science film

The contest is organized by the Museum of the World Ocean, the Institute of Oceanology (Atlantic Branch, RAS) and the I. Kant BFU.

Petrovsky Centre of the Museum of the World Ocean Begins Its Work

The Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad began implementation of the project “Petrovsky Centre”. On January 23, the presentation of the project took place at the Friedrichsburg Gate, the cultural heritage object of the museum.
The solemn presentation of the Petrovsky Centre is the first event, organized within Peter the Great’s 350th anniversary. The ceremony was marked with fortress gun volleys and guests were invited to the school of navigation sciences and tours along the permanent exhibition. Guests also took part in intellectual competitions and enjoyed Petrine epoch dancing and a concert.
Ship’s Revival Historical and Cultural Centre at the Friedrichsburg Gate will be a platform for the Petrovsky Centre. New projects are scheduled at the other museum objects as well: within the old railway bridge at the Historic Fleet Embankment, at the lighthouse in Zalivino on the Curonian Lagoon; special attention will be focused on restoration workshops and exhibition halls at the Maritime Heritage Historical and Cultural Centre, located at the former Amber Manufacture. As well, the attractions are to be united into a single water route, thus allowing everyone to follow “Peter’s route” and understand a scale of the great reformer’s personality and evaluate significance of the Petrine epoch for the present.
The project “Petrovsky Centre” of the Museum of the World Ocean became the first creative concept of a kind in Russia. The Petrovsky Centre is to be a platform for education, contribution to preservation of the first emperor’s heritage and his role in turning Russia into a marine power.
“Our museum project is titled “Petrovsky Centre” absolutely for a reason. From the very foundation the Museum of the World Ocean has dealt with the Petrine topics and its exhibitions acquaint with the history of the Russian Navy, founded by Peter I. Peter the Great is also related with the history of submarines, the first Russian research expedition and foundation of the Academy of Sciences”, says Svetlana Sivkova, a director general of the Museum of the World Ocean.
The nearest activities and events of the Petrovsky Centre are taking place this spring. These are an introduction of a new Kaliningrad tradition – a midday shot from a salute cannon at the Friedrichsburg Gate – and a new exhibition ‘The Curonian Routes of Peter I’ at the lighthouse in Zalivino.
About the museum
The Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad is the first complex maritime museum in Russia devoted to nature and exploration of the ocean. The museum attractions comprise the R/V Vityaz, which measured the maximum depth of the World Ocean; the authentic submarine B-413; the lightship Irbensky and the medium fishing trawler SRT-129. Krassin, the oldest icebreaker in Russia, is a museum branch in Saint Petersburg. In September, 2021, the Museum of the World Ocean joined the Assembly of Petrine Museums, founded under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

Lightship Irbensky and SRT-129 are temporarily closed for visiting

Dear guests,
The lightship Irbensky and SRT-129 are temporarily closed for visiting from February 1.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused and would be glad to see you at other museum attractions.

Chinese New Year in Svetlogorsk

The Museum of the World Ocean would like to invite residents and guests of the westernmost region in Russia to travel to the opposite corner of the continent and celebrate a Year of the Tiger by the Chinese calendar.
This year the holiday follows another big event – 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing on February 4. The official motto is “Together for a Shared Future”. According to organizers, the phrase one more time emphasizes a necessity to unite efforts of countries and cultures to build a better future and solve emerging challenges.
The Museum of the World Ocean also encourages you to let bright colours and rich aromas into your world, learn more about art, traditions and culture of Southeast Asia and even feel as a dweller of an exotic country – the Maritime Exhibition Centre in Svetlogorsk is a perfect site for this.
It will be a real journey in time and space:
- ancient and high-tech China: the exhibition ‘China: the Wisdom from the East’, a workshop on calligraphy, musical performances and a lecture on new year traditions by the Centre for Intercultural Communication with the Countries of Asia-Pacific region (I. Kant BFU),
- traditional and progressive Korea – a performance by July Dance Family, martial arts by the Centre for Oriental Culture;
Guests are going to guess secrets of an old Chinese ornament, get to know the famous tea ceremony and Chinese inventions and enjoy interiors of a traditional Chinese house.

Presentation of Petrovsky Centre

“The more dangerous it is – the more glorious it is.”
“With a harbor, the fleet will find its way.”
“You are to take care of remains of ships, yachts and galleys,
If you are not, your descendants and you will be responsible for this…”
Peter I

The year of 2022 is the 350th anniversary of Peter the Great. On January 23, a winter festival with the Petrine epoch atmosphere took place at the Friedrichsburg Gate, offering a range of activities:
– intellectual contest near the old gate, navigation lessons, workshops and guided tours with the commandant Serge and his assistants,
– concert by soloists of the Kaliningrad Musical Theatre.
Moreover, the event was marked with cannon firing and sampling of drinks by the Petrine cookery book!

The first Petrovsky Centre in Russia, founded by the Museum of the World Ocean, is to become a platform for education and contribution to preservation of the heritage of the first Russian emperor and his role in turning Russia into a great maritime power. Ship’s Revival historical and cultural centre at the Friedrichsburg Gate will be a basis for development of the Petrovsky Centre. New projects are scheduled for other museum attractions as well: the area of the old railway bridge at the Historic Fleet Embankment and the lighthouse in Zalivino; a particular focus will be on the restoration workshops and exhibition spaces at the Maritime Heritage historical and cultural centre at the former Amber Manufacture. The objects will be connected with a single route – Peter the Great's path. Everyone who follows it will comprehend the scope of the great reformer’s personality and significance of the Petrine Epoch for us, people living in the 21st century.
In September 2021, the Museum of the World Ocean joined the Assembly of museums dealing with Peter the Great’s hearitage, founded under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

The Cross-Border Cooperation Project Is Complete

The international conference “Restoration and adaptation of historic objects for modern museums” was held on January 14 at the Museum of the World Ocean. This is the final activity of the project “Connected by amber. Joint actions to share the amber heritage”.
The project was implemented within the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Poland-Russia 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Union and Russian Federation.
While the Museum of the World Ocean is the second partner of the project, the Museum of Gdansk (Poland) is the lead beneficiary.
The project began on August 22, 2019, and lasted 29 months.
Here is a list of the major project activities fulfilled by the Museum of the World Ocean:
1. Designs and estimates for reconstruction of the Amber Manufacture.
2. Repairs and restorations at the garage of the Amber Manufacture. It was refitted into an exhibition hall and a restoration lab, which equipment was purchased within the project.
3. Two travelling exhibitions exchange: one in Kaliningrad and one in Gdansk.
4. Two researches on the history of the Amber Manufacture and use of amber for medical purpose. The m+ap “Amber is Mined Here” was designed.
5. Education course “The History of Using Amber. Amber as Phenomenon”.
6. Workshop on innovations for historic building reconstruction.
7. Research on underwater archeology and contents of the exhibition at the garages.
8. In December, 2021, the new permanent exhibition “Shipwreck Secrets” was opened.
9. Kick-off conference in Gdansk, the final conference – an online bridge between the partners.
The Polish partners reconstructed a building in the centre of Gdansk and made an exhibition inside it, which was also created within the project.