Russia’s nuclear industry is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. On 20 August 1945, the Soviet Union established the Special Committee on Atomic Energy. Within four years, the country developed its first nuclear weapon, successfully testing the RDS-1 bomb in 1949.
These milestones paved the way for the USSR to become a pioneer in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Soviet specialists built the world’s first nuclear power plant in Obninsk in 1954 and launched the first nuclear-powered icebreaker, Lenin, in 1959 to support Arctic exploration.
The theme of the anniversary is “Pride, Inspiration, and Dreams,” highlighting the achievements of the industry’s founders and their legacy for future generations. Celebrations include a series of events, with the key highlights being a gala performance in Nizhny Novgorod and the World Atomic Week international forum in Moscow, scheduled for 25–28 November.
On 20 August, Nizhny Novgorod is hosting the gala concert Era of Dreamers, directed by Igor Krutoy, at the city’s main stadium. The large-scale show, blending music and theater, is expected to draw around 30,000 spectators, including 20,000 Rosatom employees. Soloists from the Bolshoi Theater will perform the composition Era of Dreamers.
From 21 August, the scientific and art exhibition Atom. Future will open at Nizhny Novgorod’s cultural center. Developed by young artists, scientists, and multimedia specialists, the exhibition presents futuristic technologies linked to nuclear science. Visitors will see artworks, installations, and large-scale models of nuclear icebreakers, power units, and space rockets, alongside advanced devices such as a bioprinter and a Mars mission spacesuit.
The World Atomic Week forum in November will feature an exhibition of Rosatom’s achievements, a scientific and educational marathon organized by the All-Russian Society “Znaniye,” and participation from leaders, officials, scientists, and business representatives from the CIS, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
In addition, concerts dedicated to the anniversary are being held in Russia’s “nuclear cities” under the Rosatom Culture Territory program. These performances include appearances by prominent Russian musicians and local talents selected through an online competition held between November 2024 and January 2025.