Approximately 7000 attendees participated in the 42 Family Scientific and Popular Festival, which was held at the " Reserve Quarters" location.

Science Festival "42" Celebrates a Decade of Discovery in Nizhny Novgorod

The 10th anniversary of the "Lobachevsky Lab" Science Park at Lobachevsky State University was marked by the science festival "42" on September 6, 2025. The event, held in the "Reserved Quarters" of Nizhny Novgorod, attracted over 7,000 visitors and was a testament to the university's commitment to scientific exploration and public engagement.

Organised by the Park of Science of Nizhny Novgorod State University "Lobachevsky Lab", the Center for Cultural and Scientific Communication "Horizon", and Lobachevsky University, the festival brought together scientists, researchers, and the curious-minded for a day filled with fascinating discussions, performances, and exhibitions.

Among the speakers were physicists, chemists, historians, and biologists, each sharing their latest findings and insights. Notable among them was Vladimir Chuvildeyev, the scientific director of the "Lobachevsky Lab" Science Park, who delivered a lecture on the intriguing intersection of physics and art.

The festival also featured performances by scientists, cultural figures, and invited speakers. Ekaterina Solntseva opened the event with a captivating performance titled "A Journey into Science". The highlight of the day was the science-music performance, where Peter Theremin and Vyacheslav Zolotovskiy played jazz standards and popular melodies on the theremin, an instrument that embodies the union of physics and art.

The festival expanded its programme to include topics at the intersection of various fields, related to culture and art. This was a nod to the theremin, which was born at this intersection, and a reflection of the university's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

Other partners of the event included the Museum of Interactive Sciences "Quarks", the Institute of Applied Physics named after A.V. Gaponov-Grekhov of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Information Center for Atomic Energy of Nizhny Novgorod, and the "Grow Together" Children's and Teen Club. The Nizhny Novgorod Physics and Astronomy Lovers' Circle, the "Preservation Quarters" project by ANO "ASIRIS", the School of Design of the Higher School of Economics - Nizhny Novgorod, and the GBDU "CMINC "Quantorium" were also partners.

Additional partners were the Archschool of the Architects' House, the Central District Children's Library named after A.M. Gorky, bookstores "Black Box" and "Airship", Pm Library, the "Tom Sawyer Fest Nizhny Novgorod" historical environment restoration festival, the G.M. Grechko Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium, "Alliance Française - Nizhny Novgorod", the "Green Sail" Children's and Youth Ecological Center, the "Laboratory of Scientific Film 2.0" creative association, "Mola Mola" café, and the Sciencely children's science popularization project.

Anna Sakharova, Director of the Park of Science of Nizhny Novgorod State University "Lobachevsky Lab", stated that the festival combined history and modern scientific discoveries, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to explore the past, present, and future of science. Despite speculations, there is no available information confirming that she was born in Nizhny Novgorod.

The "Scientific Nizhny in Questions and Answers" project, implemented using a grant from the President of the Russian Federation, oversaw the festival. The event ran from 12:00 to 20:00, offering a full day of engaging and educational activities for all ages.

The science festival "42" is a tradition of Lobachevsky University, held since 2015. This year's event was a resounding success, demonstrating the university's dedication to promoting scientific literacy and fostering a love for learning among its community and beyond.