From heroes in art to boats and beats – here’s what’s up in St. Pete this week 👇

🐕‍🦺 The Lives of Remarkable Dogs
• May 16 | 10 AM - 6 PM | 800-1200 RUB

Explore how dogs have been immortalized in Russian art, from portraits and landscapes to sculptures and coins.

🗿 Night of Museums
• May 17 | 6 PM - 6 AM | 300-750 RUB

Celebrate the Night of Museums with live music, talks, and hero-themed exhibits all across the city – don’t wait to get your ticket!

⛵️ Radio yachting
• May 18 | 10 AM - 7 PM | Free

Try your hand at radio-controlled boat racing and sailor’s knots this weekend at New Holland Island.

🎖 Leningrad. Meeting Victory
• May 19 | 10 AM - 9 PM | Free

Feel the wartime spirit of Leningrad through 120+ powerful images and artworks that capture the city during and after its historic siege.

For more weekend wins, head to ITMO.NEWS and check out the full list of events! 👈

#events

This week at ITMO: drones take flight, science earns global applause, and more! Check them all out 👇

🛩 ITMO teams up with Geoscan to launch a student bureau for design and testing of autonomous aircraft – opening this September!

🌟 ITMO’s nanophotonics session named the best out of 119 at PIERS 2025 in Abu Dhabi – global recognition for cutting-edge science!

🧠 With 5.5 million diabetes cases in Russia, early diagnostics matter more than ever – ITMO Fellow Dr. Yuri Rykov is on a mission to revolutionize diagnostics with AI. Learn how.

And now, two key posts from last week:

🎉 Registration for ITMO Family Day is now open! Join the summer’s most heartwarming celebration on July 12 at 300th Anniversary Park – bring your loved ones!

📋 Are you an international student? Help us make your ITMO journey smoother by filling out this short arrival survey – your voice matters!

#newsdigest

This post will reduce your screen time 🕙

Over the long weekend, our team decided to explore the wild world beyond the screens… through hobbies. We each picked one – from cycling to knitting – and ventured into the unknown.

Did it help us disconnect from our devices? Discover our results and experiences in this story!

Do you have a digital detox hobby?

😎 — Absolutely
🤓 — I’m looking for one
👨‍💻 — I’m chronically online

ITMO researcher nominated for Forbes Russia 30 Under 30 🌠

Nikita Serov, the head of ITMO’s Generative Design of Enzymes and Aptamers Lab, has been nominated for the prestigious award in the Science & Technology category. He and his team are pioneering AI-driven tools for design of molecular machines — nanoscale devices that can accelerate chemical reactions, selectively bind molecules, and even function as bioprocessors. These innovations are opening new prospects for personalized medicine and diagnostic devices.

Cheer him on — cast your vote here 👈

#itmoinfo

Feel the beat of Brazil – right here at ITMO 🇧🇷

Join us for an unforgettable night of live music, vibrant moves, and tropical vibes! Together with ITMO Dance and the Forró ao Vivo dance school, we’re bringing you the spirit of a true Brazilian festa:

✨ A fun & friendly atmosphere
✨ A masterclass in Forró – a lively partner dance you’ll learn to the rhythm of live music
✨ A stunning display of capoeira – the unique fusion of martial arts and dance
✨ Plus, a chance to give capoeira a try yourself!

We’ll end the night with a fiery dance party where you can let loose and show off your moves to some classic Brazilian beats!

📍 Lomonosova St. 9, room 2202 (Church Hall) 🗓 May 25, 5:00 PM

🔗 Click here to register now

#events

Not quite a foreigner, not quite a local — just perfectly in-between 🇺🇸

Meet Sophia Gallegos, a US-born student who’s been blending two worlds ever since she moved to Russia. Now studying biotechnology at ITMO, she is bringing together cultures, languages, and lab experiments comfortably – and always with a cup of Russian tea. Here’s what helped Sophia crack the language:

Being surrounded by the language and having to communicate constantly really helped me learn. I doubt this is new information, but I would recommend fellow students to try and surround themselves with Russians as much as they can, to get out of their comfort zone a bit.

From navigating Russian academia to collecting colorful salts and breaking cultural clichés, Sophia’s story is anything but typical. Click here to read the full interview 👈

#itmofaces

ITMO named among Russia’s top research powerhouses 👑

The university was named second-best in Russia and the leading university in St. Petersburg in the prestigious Nature Index — a global ranking that tracks publications in the world’s top scientific journals and overall contributions to science.

Click here to learn more 👈

#itmoinfo