The biggest fair in Russian history, where the first radio and the first Russian car were presented, was held in Nizhny Novgorod (260 miles from Moscow) 120 years ago.
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Beginning in the 13th century, fairs, which were typically situated on Russia’s main waterway, the Volga River, played an important role as an “exchange court between Europe and Asia.” From the 19th century, the fair in Nizhny Novgorod was Russia’s largest.
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The first time that a large-scale event such as the All-Russia Fair took place outside the capital was in 1896. / Group portrait of fair participants.
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The prices for the main goods (tea, metal, fish, salt, furs) to be sold in the country were often established there. / Trades of the Russian North.
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Among the items that were presented included the steel reticulate Shukhov Tower (pictured), the world’s first hyperboloid structure; a radio made by inventor Alexander Popov...
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... and the first Russian car (pictured) designed by Evgeny Yakovlev and Pyotr Freze.
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Local merchants took their opportunity seriously and put on the fair with great panache. / The Machine Pavilion.
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Goods produced in the most remote corners of the world were sold there, but the main trade was conducted with the East: China, the Middle East and Central Asia./ The Pavilion of Central Asia.
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Fairs were abolished in the USSR and the site of this market was used by the Red Army beginning in 1922.
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From 1929 the Children’s World shop (the largest shop of goods for children in Russia) occupied the main fair building. It remained the chief occupant for many years. / The Pavilion of the Eliseev family.
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The main pavilions are still standing and exhibitions, conferences and congresses are often held at the original location of the fair. / Trades of the Russian North.
