Beautiful weather, wonderful company. For anybody who claimed to be somebody, the St. Petersburg in the summer of 1851 was the place to be. An atmosphere of celebration reigned the streets. Newcomers were welcomed with open arms, inhabitants celebrated for their hospitality. Former enemies were, for a brief time, comrades in a festival of civilization.
The centre point of the festivities was the Grand Citadel, a massive structure in the Summer Gardens. Throughout the summer it thronged with a mass of visitors, all clamouring to see the fantastic exhibits and displays from cultures and nations across the world.
From Australia, Medina, Tawatinsuyo and Southern Han, displays of the finest art were on show. Jewellery, tapestries, sculptures and paintings created by the most beloved artists from their nations were proudly displayed, to the awe of any visitor.
A popular highlight came from Swaziland, who had sent a selection exotic beasts and wildlife from within their lands. Few people who visited failed to pass on word that a most magnificent lion could be viewed and, for a lucky few, even petted. Similarly, Siam sent across an awe-inspiring creature - an elephant, and along with it entertainment and culinary delights. Recovering from the excitements of the fair to some Siamese musical works was a crowd-pleaser, and if some genuine Siamese food could be provided, so much the better!
For the visitor more interested in the military arts however, there was a fantastic display from representatives of Great Britain. Every day at 5pm prompt, a contingent of the Royal Guard would perform a military parade to the delight of onlookers. Perfectly timed and wonderfully conducted by General Longstride, it was a highlight of any visitor to the Citadel.
Of equal appeal was the French naval displays. For four weeks the greatest ships in the French Armada could be seen in the port and, on weekends, put on active manoeuvres displaying the best of French naval tactics.
That was not all the French visit was noted for, however. For the connoisseur of art, the French ambassador had brought the famed Mona Lisa to be viewed by the general public - a spectacular highlight that surpassed even the wildest dreams of the Kan. For the Russian people the ambassador initiated a diplomatic event of the highest importance when he announced the arrival of Napoleon II, son of the infamous revolutionary. The leader of France, addressing an assembled audience of Russian nobles and officials, then personally issued an open and public apology for the horrendous war his father forced upon Russia in 1812.
In response, as a display of friendship, the Kan shook the hand of Napoleon, and awarded him the ‘Freedom of Russia’ medallion, proclaiming the leader of France a friend of Russia, and the acts of his father to be forgotten. Russia and France would be regarded as friends from this day forward.
All in all, the Great Fair was considered a massive success, boosting prestige not just for Russia, but for all the nations who had attended. Even those who had not provided exhibits still sent representatives, sensing the potential for some diplomatic manoeuvring in a more casual atmosphere. For the general public, and visitors from other countries, the entire event was nothing more than a marvellous adventure, showing wonders from every corner of the globe.
The success of the event prompted the Kan to order the Grand Citadel be rebuild into a more permanent structure along the Neva River. While not all the attractions could be retained, recreations and additional cultural pieces were sought for, and the Grand Citadel was re-opened in early 1853 as the Great Arts and Science Museum of St. Petersburg.
Orders:
Imperial Russia: 8IC
4IC into building x2 factories in Ukraine
2IC into building x1 factory in Russia
1IC invested into expansion into Poland.
1IC invested into expansion into Livonia
Event: The Great Fair
Option 1: Make a permanent Museum from the collections of arts and treasures - +5 IC to Science
]
