The exhibition «Crystal Compass: Planet of Heroes», which opened in the Krasnaya Polyana resort in August 2025 to mark the 180th anniversary of the Russian Geographical Society, has already been visited by more than 1 million people. The exhibition demonstrates the projects of the winners of the 13th international award, presented under the auspices of the RGS for outstanding achievements and scientific research in the field of geography, ecology, and related sciences, as well as for their contribution to the preservation of natural, historical, and cultural heritage, and the development of civil society.
The winners of the prestigious international award in 2025 were representatives of Russia, Egypt, India, Italy, China, and Japan.
«For us, this result is a confirmation of a keen interest in the real stories of people who are changing the world. One million visitors in six months shows that the topics of science, ecology, and heritage conservation resonate with the widest audience. We have a long-standing and productive cooperation with the Krasnaya Polyana resort. We regularly implement major educational projects here and are glad that the location consistently demonstrates high interest from the guests,» said Ivan Chaika, Chairman of the Krasnodar Regional Branch of the RGS and the Organizing Committee of the Crystal Compass Award.
The exhibition tells about the volunteers who eliminated the consequences of the fuel oil spill in the Black Sea, about the international exhibition-forum «Russia», about the scientific and educational expedition of «Rosatom» «Icebreaker of Knowledge», about the program of the TV channel «Russia — Culture» «Dialogues about Animals», about the film «Ognenny Lis» (eng. «Fire Fox»). The exhibition also features the works of Japanese photographer Toshiji Fukuda «Nature Without Borders», the book series «Silk Road Stories» by the Xi’an Publishing House, materials about the wintering complex of the «Vostok» Antarctic station, the International Big Cat Alliance restoring the Bengal tiger population, and research by the Center for Rescue Archaeology of the Institute of the History of Material Culture, the Russian Academy of Sciences in the southern suburb of Tauric Chersonese and the «Aga Khan Necropolis» mission in Western Aswan.
«The exhibition provided residents and numerous guests of the resort city of Sochi with a unique opportunity to get to know the winning projects of the Crystal Compass National Award, which have made a significant contribution to the preservation of the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of our country and the whole world. We thank the Russian Geographical Society for the successful joint work on environmental education for the guests of the Krasnaya Polyana resort and suggest continuing cooperation in organizing photo exhibitions this year,» said Lev Shagarov, Director of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development at the Krasnaya Polyana resort.
You can apply for the Crystal Compass Award on the official website of the national award.