President Putin opens Kazakhstan Pavilion at VDNKh

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev looked over the Kazakhstan Pavilion at VDNKh together. They were joined by the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. Kazakhstan Culture Days began on Moscow City Day in Russia, and Nursultan Nazarbayev’s visit to the capital was related to the event.

The guests were told about the process of restoring the facades and the interior of the pavilion. They also visited a traditional Kazakh yurt, craft exhibition, and agricultural fair. The main exposition presents exhibits from the National Museum of Kazakhstan, totaling more than 30 unique items. The new exhibition complex is equipped with modern multimedia equipment, and the pavilion is set up to allow quick transitions from the exhibition to relevant shows and events.

Pavilion No. 11, recognized as an object of cultural heritage of federal significance, was built in 1949-1954. The original architectural appearance of the pavilion embodied Kazakh national motifs, and the structural solutions resembled Central Asian mausoleums. The silhouette of a 4,800 square meter building with a dome at the top was a striking decoration of the Main Avenue at VDNKh. The initial exposition of the pavilion was dedicated to the history and culture of Kazakhstan, its achievements in the field of agriculture, and since 1959 in the field of industry (metallurgy, coal and oil mining and gas). However, in 1964 the pavilion was renamed “Metallurgy” and changed the theme of its exhibition. In 1966-1967 the building was reconstructed. The new facade changed the pavilion beyond recognition, giving it the look of a concrete box. Inside, Kazakh motifs were hidden behind stainless steel shields. In the 1990s, the pavilion was occupied by shops, offices, commercial museum expositions and cafes for almost 20 years.

In 2011, the pavilion was leased to the Republic of Kazakhstan for 50 years on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement to create a trade and exhibition center. Work began in August 2017 after the approval of the restoration project. As a result, the historical appearance of the building of 1954 was restored.

A trade and exhibition center of the Republic of Kazakhstan will open in the pavilion. Its objective is to promote the development of friendly relations and cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia.

 

“My Street” program becomes laureate at the ULI Global Awards for Excellence

The capital’s “My Street” improvement project became a laureate at the Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence. Prizes are awarded for outstanding achievements in city development. Together with the “My Street” program, ten other projects from North America and Asia made the list. For example, the Hoffman-Madison embankment in Washington and the international market square in Honolulu were both recognized by the jury. Moscow became the only European city to receive this award in 2019.

“Moscow is recognized as a leader in the establishment of a comfortable urban environment. This suggests that you can safely walk around the city, move quickly on public transport, and find ways to spend your free time. This is truly an achievement. We’ve been working for this for the past six years,” said Deputy Mayor of Moscow Government on Housing, Utilities and Improvement Pyotr Biryukov.

The ULI Global Awards for Excellence is one of the world’s most prestigious awards in the sphere of urban development. It’s awarded by the Urban Land Institute – a non-profit research organization focused on urban planning and development. ULI’s headquarters are in Washington, and the institute has offices in Hong Kong, London, and Frankfurt. The first Global Awards for Excellence prize was awarded in 1979. The main criteria for projects are originality, relevance and contribution to the life of the urban community, focus on the environment and sustainable development, and financial success.

“My Street” is a major new project that has transformed over 300 streets and public spaces in Moscow. Roads and sidewalks have been given a facelift as well – wires were put underground, building facades were restored, and bushes and trees were planted.

 

The opening of a new Aurus showroom

The first dealership for Aurus – domestic cars for state officials – opened its doors in Moscow City. The 170 square meter showroom is located on the first floor of the IQ-quarter mixed-use complex. The exhibition hall features the Senat sedan model with an 8-cylinder engine and two turbines, four-wheel drive, and four-zone climate control. The cost of the Aurus Senat sedan in the basic configuration will be 18 million rubles.

An Aurus car showroom may also open in China in the next two years, said Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov. “The Chinese market is developing very quickly, and the number of luxury brand buyers is growing. We hope that in 2020–2021 a similar showroom will appear in China,” the minister said. He also noted that the manufacturer intends to expand the sales market: cars under this brand are planned to be exported to Europe and Arab countries.

Aurus is the first premium class Russian car brand. So far, four models are planned for production: a limousine, sedan, minivan and an SUV. According to Manturov, mass production of Aurus cars will be launched in 2020. Russian President Vladimir Putin took his first ride on an Aurus limousine in May 2018, to his inauguration ceremony. Although the cost is higher than for similar cars (Maybach, Bentley), experts predict good prospects for the Aurus S600. Aurus has already registered several car models that will be available on the market in 2020.

 

A new Renault model to be produced in Moscow

Moscow’s Renault factory launched the mass production of the new Renault Arkana model. The launch ceremony was attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, and CEO of Groupe Renault Thierry Bollore.

The new model will allow the domestic automotive industry to move forward. “Thanks to Renault, the entire team, everyone who works in Moscow to create a cool model that, I think, will win its share of the market! This will be a step forward in the automotive industry both in Moscow and in Russia as a whole,” Sergey Sobyanin said.

“Today, a new modification of the Arkana car is being launched, which was developed by Renault on request and takes into account the needs of the Russian consumer. This is very important, and is not so common in practice,” said the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov.

Russia will become the first country in the world where the new model will be sold. “We are also, as you know, actively developing exports within the scope of a national project,” the Minister said, “It’s very important that this model will have a lot of potential in terms of exports.”

New cars will be exported to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Persian Gulf states.

“Renault Arkana is actually the first car that was designed specifically for Russia. We are confident that it will be able to truly ensure a breakthrough in Russia and increase sales in the Russian car market by 10 percent. We will produce a model in Russia, but this car will be sold in other countries as well, ”said Thierry Bollore, CEO of Groupe Renault.

The manufacturing plant was established by the Renault Moscow as one of the concern’s most advanced robotics enterprises. Investments in the project amounted to 3 billion rubles.

Today, Russia is the second most important market in the world for Renault, said Thierry Bollore. “We have 51,000 employees working here at our enterprises, and we have invested more than two billion euros in those enterprises located in Moscow, Togliatti and Izhevsk. Last year, we produced 670 thousand cars, which accounts for 40 percent of all cars that are currently produced in Russia,” he said.

In February of this year, the Moscow Government and Renault Russia CJSC signed an Agreement on the establishment of an IT development center, the main objective of which will be the creation of a new generation of intelligent transport systems.

 

US company to localize pharmaceutical production

Unipharm is in the process of localizing manufacturing for a product from its portfolio in Russia for the first time in the company’s history. The full production cycle of Melaxen will be set up inside the NovaMedica Innotec R&D Center. The center is located on the territory of the Technopolis Moscow Special Economic Zone. Patients will be able to obtain Melaxen from a domestic manufacturer in 2020.

“Top quality conditions have been created for high-tech industries, both Russian and foreign, on the territory of the special economic zone. The localization of the drug by the American corporation Unipharm inside the existing facilities of the R&D center will increase the number of jobs in NovaMedica Innotec’s manufacturing department by 40%. The volume of the new drug will be about one million packages per year, which will fully meet the needs of patients not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia,” said Alexander Prokhorov, head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy of Moscow.

 

KAMAZ launches production of electric buses

A plant for the production of electric buses and their parts will be launched in the capital, and a center for innovative electronic passenger development will be constructed as well. The corresponding agreement was signed by Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin and Director General of JSC KAMAZ Sergey Korogin during the Moscow Urban Forum. According to the document, JSC KAMAZ will create an engineering and manufacturing plant on the territory of the Sokolniki Car Repair and Construction Plant (a branch of GUP Mosgortrans) with support from the Moscow government. Here, KAMAZ will launch the assembly of electric buses and electric components for them. The plant will be fitted with modern equipment – machines, tools and other necessary devices. The plant’s production capacity will be at least 500 electric buses per year.

An innovative development center will also open its doors on the territory of the Car Repair and Construction Plant. The center will focus on technologies that will help with the development of and quality improvements to electric passenger transport. For example, the center will create electronic devices, batteries, charging stations and much more. To accommodate the engineering and production center, KAMAZ will reconstruct and build production facilities with a total area of about 75,000 square meters.

JSC KAMAZ investments into the project will total about one billion rubles.

Over the past eight months, the Moscow government has signed contracts with JSC KAMAZ for a total amount of almost 20 billion rubles. In 2020, Moscow plans to purchase another 300 cars. After 2021, the city will only purchase electric buses (800–1000 units per year), completing the transition from the procurement of diesel buses.

Moscow is in the lead among the cities of Europe and America in terms of the number of electric buses in the public transport park. As of July 1, 2019, there are 166 electric buses in the Mosgortrans park, and 63 charging stations have been installed for their operation.

“We are on the verge of a new revolution – the transition to electric transport. We took a step forward even faster than private car owners, deciding to abandon the procurement of motor fuel buses entirely in 2021. And we not only declared this, but also began purchasing the most modern Russian environmentally sustainable transport – electric transport,” the Mayor of Moscow said during a plenary meeting of the Moscow Urban Forum.

 

Chinese business center “Park Huaming” opens its doors

The Chinese business center “Park Huaming,” located next to the Botanicheskiy Sad metro station (Ulitsa Vilgelma Pika 14) plans to launch operations before the end of the year.

The business center, with a total area of about 100,000 square meters, will consist of three buildings joined together by a stylobate. The building with 21 floors, which is the center of the architectural composition, will house office spaces and cafes for employees. The two adjacent buildings will house a five-star hotel and an apartment hotel. The four-storey stylobate will serve as the functional core of the complex. It will be home to a large business center, a conference hall for 1,000 people, a fitness center, and restaurants.

“One of the key features of the business center will be the LED lamellas, which will illuminate facades of the buildings with scenes from traditional Chinese art, like a bonsai tree or decorated Payfan arches. Some elements will be illuminated, while others will create dark silhouettes on their background. The complex is planned to be commissioned before the end of this year,” said Sergey Kuznetsov, Chief Architect of Moscow.

The main facade of the Park Huaming Business Center will be located across the entrance into a park with the same name, which will be decorated with buildings in the traditional style of Northern China.

 

New pedestrian area next to the Polytechnic Museum

A new pedestrian area called “Museum Park” has appeared next to the Polytechnic Museum. It was opened by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky, Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin, and Chairman of State Development Corporation VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov.

As Sergey Sobyanin pointed out, work on the development of a public space from Lubyanka to Zaryadye Park has been underway for several years. “As part of this huge project, Novaya Square, Staraya Square, and Slavyanskaya Square were reconstructed, along with dozens of adjacent streets and alleys. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the core of this space is the territory around the Polytechnical Museum, and, in fact, the Polytechnical Museum itself, which is under serious reconstruction,” the Mayor of Moscow said.

In turn, Vladimir Medinsky added that the Polytechnic Museum will be opened soon. “We removed all the forests and nets from here. And believe me, when in a little over a year the Polytechnic Museum opens its doors, there will be a lot of interesting, surprising and innovative elements inside. The Polytechnic Museum team plans to make the best museum of its kind in the world,” said the Minister of Culture of Russia.

The Museum Park, located on an area of 1.3 hectares, will unite the territories around the Polytechnic Museum into a common urban space. It will connect the existing walking routes – Nikolskaya, Myasnitskaya, Rozhdestvenka, Maroseyka, Pokrovka Streets with Ilyinsky Square, Staraya and Slavyanskaya Squares, Kitaygorodsky Passage and Zaryadye Park.

The amphitheatre in front of the main museum entrance on Lubyanskaya Square became an important element of the pedestrian area. It was built in place of the former Polytechnic Passage. Within the scope of the “Museum Park” project, Lubyanskiy Passage was reconstructed and the part of the Novaya Square open to traffic was significantly reduced. This created a two-level pedestrian area along the facade of the Polytechnic Museum. The upper level has sidewalks that lead to museum entrances from Novaya and Lubyanka squares, as well as the Ilyinka Gate Square. The lower (underground) level houses an amphitheater, shops, cafes, and an exhibition space. The lower level will have exit to Ilyinsky Square or to the Kitai-Gorod metro station.

The improvements were funded by the Moscow city budget, and not a single bush or shrub on Lubyanka Square was cut down over the course of the project. The landscaping around the Solovetsky Stone monument was also left completely intact. A comprehensive restoration and reconstruction of the museum, also funded by the city budget, is planned to be completed in 2020.

 

Gastronomic news

 

BALCHUG. A two-level food market has opened its doors in the center of Moscow (Ulitsa Balchug 5). The market has 23 corners with food from all over the world (Hawaiian, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Georgian, and more), as well as stands that feature original dishes like Japanese street food, vegan sweets, desserts, or matcha drinks. The project has a social mission – to make international cuisine more accessible to all residents, regardless of where they live or what their income level is. The company has plans to establish markets that resemble ones in major world capitals along Moscow’s commuter belt. The carefully selected tenants are located across three main areas in Balchug: a morning area for breakfast (opens at 8:00), a central area with a spacious, colorful veranda and a view of the 18th-century Church of St. George the Victorious (opens at 10:00) and a bar area (opens at 22:00), which will host parties with DJs. In addition to its primary role as a food market, Balchug will host entertainment and training events. There is a separate selfie zone in the lobby of the grocery store.

 

PINSERIA MARIO. A fast-casual style bar from the creators of Osteria Mario has opened at Pyatnitskaya 25, bldg. 1. The establishment’s symbol is Mario – a famous videogame character. The pinsa bar’s primary focus is a type of crunchy pizza prepared in accordance with a recipe that dates back to Rome. The bar currently has 13 different types of pinsa with truffles and salami, parma and mascarpone, stracciatella and basil, etc. Pinsa is the perfect option for a quick bite – it takes just 5 minutes to prepare. It’s served exclusively on wooden boards, both big and small, just like the snacks at the pinseria. Aside from the popular olives, prosciutto, mortadella, hard and soft cheeses, you can get the chef’s antipasti: original pepperoni jam, artichoke mousse with anchovies, whipped blue cheese with pear confiture, or tuna mousse. Guests can also order Italian salads with tomatoes and straccella or with tuna, pear and parmesan. The drink menu is reserved, featuring about 10 wine selections from different regions in Italy.

 

SCROCCHIARELLA E MORBIDELLA. A flagship two-story pizzaria has opened on Smolenskaya Street, right next to Azimut Hotel. The establishment is the chain’s biggest restaurant, and can seat 130 people. The menu features not only Roman pizza on a peel (with anchovies, burrata, sun-dried tomatoes and arugula, or rub, or with turkey and “tonato” sauce – 795 rub, or with beef carpaccio and caramelized onions – 850 rub), but also, for the first time, Neapolitan pizza. The dough is a mixture of wheat flour with natural Italian sourdough, water, olive oil and salt put together by Milanese pizza maker Tiziano Casillo. It’s kept in a proofing oven for 48 hours, then baked for exactly 110 seconds at a temperature of 380 degrees. This is what keeps the pizza crust soft (“morbidella” means “soft” in translation). The restaurant’s menu features 18 types of morbidella, each of which is dedicated to products from from different Italian regions. “Veneta” is made with cod, potatoes, mozzarella and tomato sauce (455 rub), “Bergamask” has creamy sauce, porcini mushrooms, truffle cream, polenta, and mozzarella (750 rub), “Molise” features tomato sauce, lamb, sorrel, scabor, and mozzarella (715 rub), and “Neapoletana” is made with salsiccia, broccoli rabe, and mozzarella (650 rub). In addition to pizza, the menu includes traditional Italian snacks and a section with pasta and risotto.

 

POLYOT. A large family restaurant has opened inside the Vostok Liner residential complex on Khodynsky Boulevard 2. The space used to be home to the M.V. Frunze airport, and the restaurant is designed to convey a feeling of freedom, adventure, and love for the sky. The menu’s main focus is on fish and seafood, and there is a wide selection of wine. The sea section features cod with mashed cauliflower, sea bass in cabbage leaf, halibut with celery root, pike cutlets, three types of poke, Magadan shrimps, mussels in sauce – all are cooked with fresh products and are combinations what are appealing to adults and children alike. The average bill is 1,500-2,000 rubles. The modest wine menu has classics from Burgundy and champagne from popular brands, as well as biodynamic wines and selections from small family wineries. The owners plan to launch a program of short tours on the history of wine and its creators. DJs and musicians will perform on Fridays and Saturdays. A big stage was built for concerts and parties at the restaurant, and there is a big screen and a piano. There is a 50% discount on baked goods after 21.00. There is a special room and separate menu for children, along with a cafe with a separate entrance for people looking for a place to work.

 

HIGH BAR. A bar with a panoramic view of the city and original cocktails has opened on the 56th floor of the Imperia Tower at Moscow City. Art and texture are reflected in both the bar’s neighboring skyscraper museum and the intelligent aesthetics of bar culture: along with bar classics and original cocktails, the space hosts lectures on bar culture. Immersive plays, contemporary art exhibitions, lectures by famous cultural figures concerts, and art shows – all of this is just a tiny fraction of what the bar’s art team has put together. On Wednesdays, the space hosts readings and performances by professional theatre actors. On Thursdays, there are jazz improvisation shows and live music. On Fridays, guests can enjoy nights to atmospheric DJ sets. The most popular dishes on the menu are oysters from Russia, Japan and Morocco (up to 450 rub a piece), tuna with mango, passion fruit and coconut, salmon tataki with cucumbers and avocado, ravioli with beef with prunes and mashed potatoes, and a Pavlova dessert with berries and ice cream.

 

IL SICILIANO. A new restaurant has opened at Kutuzovsky Prospect. The main focus for the founders was the sun, sea, and family traditions. The establishment can accommodate 150 guests and is split up into 3 areas: the main hall, a bar area with small tables by the windows, and a confectionary. Seafood accounts for most of the menu: a salad with tuna and Asian sauce based on freshly-squeezed orange juice, sea bass tartar, seafood ceviche with tuna, dorado and shrimp, spaghetti with sea bass and almond pesto, and dishes with Kamchatka crab and octopus. It’s the perfect place to fall in love with a Sicilian specialty dish – Pasta Alla Norma, which is eaten every day on the island. Alla Norma has a lot of tomato paste, and is served with eggplant, basil and ricotta. For those committed to eating healthy, there is pizza made with dark flour or chia seeds, flax and sunflower. The most popular selections are the “Gorgonzola and Radicchio” with mozzarella, cream cheese and walnuts, and “Mushroom,” with an assortment of mushrooms. Original sweet gelato and waffle cannoli from Chef Bruno Marino are on offer. The wine list features predominantly Italian and Sicilian drinks.

 

BOSCO MISHKA BAR. This establishment opened on the first line of Gum’s ground floor. High curtains, vintage Viennese chairs and lamp lighting serve as a kind of continuation of GUM’s facade lighting, which makes everything look dramatic. The new bar will function as is until the beginning of October, at which point it will close for a tech upgrade and re-open at the end of November. The menu features dishes that can be combined for a full meal, but you can also grab a crunchy pizzetta with delicious stuffing to go with a glass of wine. The dough is made out of rice, soy, wheat flour and sits for at least two days before it’s baked. The drink menu stresses wine by the glass – there are 30 selections to pick from. There is a breakfast menu from 9 to 12: fried eggs with avocado (500 rub), pancakes with red caviar and a glass of pink sparkling wine (990 rub), or with with black sturgeon caviar and sparkling wine (3,900 rub). You can also order the snacks in smaller portions to try: Murmansk scallop crud with cherry (400 rub, or 750 rub for the full portion) and tuna carpaccio (400 rub, or 750 rub for the full portion). Cocktails, wine, a great atmosphere, and a postcard view of the Kremlin are a pleasant bonus in addition to the excellent cuisine.

 

APR.L. A new spot with a gastrobotanical bar menu, perfect drink-pairing, a menu so dramatic it borders on insanity, and live sets from resident and international DJs has opened on Bolshaya Tatarskaya Ulitsa 5. You can spot it right away – just look for shadows dancing inside orange windows. The focal point is the Aperol Spritz, which is the most popular cocktail in the world. There is an exact copy of David on the ceiling. The menu, which is put together by a famous Italian chef, is meant to surprise guests without overpowering the taste of the cocktails. The “Molecular Strawberry Aperol” with homemade strawberry syrup, sparkling wine, chervil sprouts and caviar from strawberries and aperol is its own cocktail show you should definitely grab your camera to document. Each dish perfectly complements the establishment’s bar menu, but can also be enjoyed on its own: there are Italian bruschettas and antipasti of various kinds, Mediterranean cuisine hits (risotto with porcini mushrooms, 550 rub), and a raw and grill bar. From Thursday to Sunday, there are live performances featuring house, chill rave, minimal techno and electronic music. Bar shows similar to theatre performances also take place here every weekend.

 

LOGOVO. A new restaurant with panoramic windows, a view of the embankment, French cuisine, and a special hunting menu has opened around the Frunzenskaya embankment (Khamovnicheskiy Val 2). The kitchen is headed up by Fabrice Lecoin – a famous international chef who has worked in Michelin-star restaurants in Toulouse, Châteauneuf-du-Pap, and Cannes. In the early 2000s, he was one of the first chefs who came to Moscow. For five years, Lecoin worked for the French Ambassador, feeding high-ranking officials. The main gastronomic attraction of the restaurant is the hunting menu, which features dishes made out of wildmeat: roe deer (640 rub), borsch with duck (580 rub), dumplings (920 rub) and stroganoff with bear meat (1,380 rub), moose kupati (980 rubles), and more. The selections will change depending on the season. On weekdays, there is a lunch menu at a 30% discount. The restaurant also plans to have a breakfast menu and start hosting family brunches on Sundays. The space is split up into three areas: a spacious, well-lit hall with panoramic windows and a view of the embankments, a bar, and a private cigar lounge.

 

ABC COFFEE ROASTERS. The Tretyakov district is now home to yet another cafe (Ordynsky Tupik 4). All coffee that is served here is roasted by roastmasters. The cafe works directly with farmers from all over the world to obtain the most delicious and exclusive types of coffee and support the FAIR TRADE initiative, making a positive impact on communities both locally and internationally. In 2018, the ABC Coffee Roasters travelled to the farms and met with the producers of the coffee that they now sell here. You can buy the bags of coffee beans at the cafe – just tell the barista about your preferences, and they’ll help you select the right coffee and the best way to prepare it. You can watch the coffee being brewed from a tall chair at the bar. It’s prepared with the American press, the Trinity (an Australian gravity press) and Gina – all for 200 rubles. There are original drinks with milk, like the Rose-Raspberry Latte or the Osmanthus Raf (you can use plant milk for an extra 50 rub). For those who want something other than coffee, there are selections like buckwheat tea, cocoa and lychee melon tea. You can also grab some cascara – a coffee tea made from the dried skins of the coffee fruit. Every morning, fresh baked goods are brought to the cafe: croissants, muffins, cookies, which you can get at a 30% discount after 20.00. The cafe will offer breakfast soon, but for now the fridge has a selection of yogurt, cottage cheese, and chia pudding with different toppings.