The premier of the first documentary series made during Rosatom’s international Arctic expedition Icebreaker of Knowledge takes place at the Illusion cinema in Moscow on November 28. The documentary made by Znanyie Russian Society consists of four episodes depicting an international team of schoolchildren as they travel to the top of the planet aboard the icebreaker ’50 Years of Victory’.
“With every passing year, the interest in the Rosatom Arctic expedition “Icebreaker of Knowledge” grows with increasing international attention. This year’s expedition gathered children from 15 different countries. “Icebreaker of Knowledge” brings together talented children from all over the world who are eager to explore the unknown. Members of the expedition learn about the Russian North and immerse themselves in the world of advanced technologies developed by the Russian nuclear industry. The expedition could only be carried out thanks to the excellent teamwork of our nuclear icebreaker fleet, which is celebrating its anniversary this year. This is what our documentary series is all about. I am confident that it will draw public attention, including from foreign audiences, to Russia’s scientific accomplishments!” said Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
The icebreaker was carrying 63 students from various countries, including Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Mongolia, Hungary, India, China, and South Africa. The North Pole was the destination of the expedition and the crowning achievement of the series. There, the participants unfurled flags from 15 nations and danced a global walk-around. Maxim Dreval, CEO of Znanyie Russian Society was a special guest and participant in the international expedition.
“”Icebreaker of Knowledge” is a unique educational initiative. I have experienced firsthand how it transforms the world for everyone involved. I am glad to see Znanyie Russian Society participating in this event. We embarked on a one-of-a-kind expedition to the Arctic and made a documentary featuring young people who had the privilege of getting aboard the icebreaker. They fearlessly pursue their aspirations, surmounting challenges and expanding their perspectives. That is really encouraging!” said Maxim Dreval.
The narrative follows the adventures of four young explorers as they set out on an exhilarating voyage to the North Pole aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker. Their expedition is filled with discoveries and obstacles that put their abilities and bravery to the test. The main characters are Alisa Kaitova from Mineralnye Vody in Stavropol Krai; Misha Novoseltsev from Barnaul in Altai Krai; Mark Beller from Zhelezogorsk in Krasnoyarsk Krai; and Kira Postavit, from Moscow. They are teenagers with different backgrounds but sharing enthusiasm for science and Arctic exploration. Each of them is dedicated to making their dreams come true. In a few years, Alice aspires to become an ecologist. She has a strong affinity for the natural world and wants to explore the captivating flora and fauna of the Arctic. Misha dreams of becoming a polar geologist and exploring new areas to discover new deposits. Mark wants to design nuclear reactors, while Kira envisions herself as the captain of a nuclear-powered icebreaker that will traverse the Arctic Ocean. During the expedition, the team faced various challenges and made discoveries that helped them gain a better understanding of themselves. They worked together to overcome all difficulties and support each other throughout the journey.
“To overcome all obstacles on their journey, the heroes needed a dream to strive for. Along the way, they met mentors who showed them the way forward. Our aim was to create a series about children for children – kind and inspiring, which helps move forward despite difficulties,” said Yuri Sokolov, director of “Icebreaker of Knowledge”.
The documentary series will introduce adults and children to the Arctic expedition, the design of the nuclear-powered icebreaker and its crew, as well as the significance of international humanitarian cooperation. The series can be viewed in Russian cinemas or online.
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The scientific and educational project “Icebreaker of Knowledge” was organized by the network of information centers on atomic energy (ICAE) with the support of Rosatom. Its aim is to promote science and technology, find and support talented children, develop their skills, and provide guidance for their future careers. Over 350 talented students from different countries have participated in Arctic expeditions organized by Rosatom, including winners of various competitions and projects. In 2024, Znanyie Russian Society became an intellectual partner for Rosatom’s Arctic expedition “Icebreaker of Knowledge 2024”.
Znanyie Russian Society was established by the initiative of Soviet intellectuals in 1947 as the “All-Union Society for the Dissemination of Political and Scientific Knowledge”, a Soviet public organization (the All-Union Znanyie Society from 1963 onwards, and Znanyie Rossii Society since 1991). The members of this organization were dedicated to advancing science and delivering lectures on the advancements in the Soviet economy and industry. In 2016, Znanyie Rossii became the Russian public and state educational organization Znanyie Russian Society. On April 21, 2021, in the Address of the President of the Russian Federation to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin announced the need to restart Znanyie Russian Society on a modern digital platform.
Major Russian companies continue to expand their range of solutions to help unlock the potential of children, employees, and future employees. They support scientific and educational initiatives, engage in cultural projects, and implement scholarship programs. One such company is Rosatom, which has been actively involved in these initiatives for many years.
