Exhibition "The History of the Construction of the Volga–Don Shipping Canal and the Tsimlyansk Hydroelectric Complex"

About exhibition

The exhibition is an original documentary-historical project dedicated to the history of the construction of the Volga–Don Shipping Canal and the Tsimlyansk hydroelectric complex, which led to the founding of the city of Volgodonsk. Personal belongings of construction participants are displayed, along with exhibits reflecting the 1950s. Photographs and paintings show examples of the machinery used during the construction. The symbol of this great construction project is rightfully considered to be the walking excavator ESh-14/65 — the largest earthmoving machine in the world at that time. Of particular interest is the authentic diving equipment that belonged to Alexander Nazarenko, a participant in the unique operation to close off the old Don riverbed. Among the notable exhibits are works by People's Artist of the USSR N. Zhukov, created in September 1951 during the construction of the Tsimlyansk hydroelectric complex. One section is devoted to the use of convict labor on the construction. The tragic fate of the repressed Leningrad poet and literary scholar V.V. Smirensky is also shown.