From June 2 to June 4, the Geography Night educational project was held in Russia and Saratov Region. On June 2, it took place at the sites of Saratov State University. At SSU, the events were organised by the staff of the Faculty of Geography.

Despite the rainy weather, its guests decided not to miss the important event of the year and learn more about geography.

Dean of the Faculty of Geography Vladimir Makarov addressed the audience. ‘The Geography Night has been held at Saratov State University for four years in a row. Due to geography, you can learn how this world appeared and what various natural phenomena are connected with. This science helps to rediscover our diverse and interesting country. I want to wish everyone to become little trackers and join the exciting world of geography. A lot of children have gathered here today – let their curiosity about geography grow into sincere love.’

The interactive lecture, Saratov Trace in the Arctic, was conducted by a polar traveller and researcher Igor Smilevets. He is the author of thirteen books in which he wrote about fellow countrymen who left their significant mark in the Arctic.

Igor Smilevets showed photographs that had been taken during his business trips to the Taimyr Peninsula and in the Arctic.

‘The nature of our country is fascinating. The beauty of these places should be protected and studied. I confess that when I am on an expedition, I feel myself in a completely different dimension. This is an unforgettable experience that I would like to share with you,’ he said.

The participants watched TV stories about trips and expeditions to the southern and northern latitudes, in which Igor Smilevets had participated, and were able to ask questions to a well-known researcher.

After the lecture, the participants learned more about the world of geography. At each festival site of Bldg. 4, SSU, the event members were waiting for fascinating stories of volunteer students about the world of geography. The lucky ones who showed a high level of knowledge were waiting for pleasant gifts: fragments of selenite and lichen collected during the expeditions by students and teaching staff, as well as flags, magnets, postcards, bookmarks for books, and information booklets.

At the Faculty of Geography, it was also possible to get acquainted with the biography and heritage of domestic and foreign researchers – Mikhail Sumgin, Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen.

The participants' attention was attracted by the photo exhibition entitled Arctic Attraction, the Research in Stamps exposition, as well as children's drawings about the polar regions of the planet.

Quizzes on knowledge of the countries and geography were held for the guests. The children were fascinated by master-classes on making folk Slavic dolls and drawing stories about the nature of Russia.

Due to weather conditions, work at the meteorological site, SSU, was cancelled, but the participants of the event were able to visit the Department of Meteorology and Climatology, where the students the and teaching staff explained meteorological and aerological devices and gave the guests the opportunity to take some measurements themselves. The guests attended a hydrochemical laboratory, where they found out the degree of acidity and the level of salt content in water from various reservoirs. The Wonderful World of Clouds exhibition was also popular with the audience.

In the Regional Scientific Library, SSU, the participants visited the exhibition of rare geographical books. The exposition was dedicated to the First Russian Antarctic Expedition (1819-1821) by navigators Fabian Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev. The guests also had a sightseeing tour of the library.

The Zoology Museum, SSU, hosted an excursion for young participants of the educational project. The children were able to learn the diversity of the animal world listening to the guides' story about the museum exhibits. Especially the children remembered the games and quizzes, where everyone was able to test their knowledge based on the results of the tour.

A complex of scientific, educational and creative events in the city was held with the support of the Saratov branch of the Russian Geographical Society.