At SPIEF, a VR Portal to the Renaissance—No Passport Required

While billion-dollar deals and AI breakthroughs headline the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), culture is getting its own immersive upgrade

Guests can step inside “The Magnificent Renaissance: From Raphael to Michelangelo,” a VR-powered journey through the golden age of European art.

Donning a headset, visitors are transported to a digital gallery filled with works by Raphael, Sandro Botticelli, and students of Leonardo da Vinci. High-resolution scans and atmospheric audio bring Michelangelo’s world to life, enhanced by striking photography from Aurelio Amendola, known for his intimate captures of the sculptor’s masterpieces.

The cultural programming doesn’t stop there. SPIEF also marks the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory in World War II with “Great Nation – Great Victory: 1941–1945,” a sweeping multimedia exhibition at Manege Central Exhibition Hall. The experience blends historical documents, personal artifacts, and immersive visuals to retell the war years through a modern lens.

Once again, Russia is using digital tools not just to shape the future—but to reimagine how we connect with the past.