AI Brings Russian Poet Sergey Yesenin Back to Life Through Archival Photos
An upcoming multimedia exhibition in Russia will use artificial intelligence to animate century-old photographs of poet Sergey Yesenin, turning them into short, lifelike videos.
The multimedia exhibition “History of the Russian Soul” will open at the State Historical Museum of the Southern Urals, showcasing an innovative use of artificial intelligence. Specialized algorithms will analyze and “revive” about 100 archival photographs of the legendary Russian poet Sergey Yesenin, transforming them into short, dynamic video clips.
Visitors will see more than just digitized images. Through scenes of the countryside, nature, and early 20th-century city life, the exhibition will trace Yesenin’s journey from his native village of Konstantinovo near Ryazan to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The exhibition will also feature authentic artifacts, including the poet’s death mask, a bust, first-edition books, and household items from museum collections.
Organizers emphasize that digital tools do not replace the originals but rather enhance them—creating a deeper, more emotional way to engage with cultural heritage. This fusion of tradition and technology aims to make classical art more accessible to younger audiences raised in an era dominated by visual media.
