The  St Petersburg House of Knowledge (historical mansion of A. F. Kelkh on Tchaikovsky Street, 28) launched an open educational project of the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering and the Russian Society "Znaniye" (Knowledge) (St Petersburg branch) "City Stories". The goal of the project is to create an open city lecture and discussion platform where representatives of the expert community, students, schoolchildren, city activists and all those interested in the architecture and urban environment of the Northern capital can share knowledge and exchange opinions about the cultural and historical life of the city, its present and future.

The first meeting was opened by the SPbGASU Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina and the Director of the branch of the Russian Society "Znaniye" in St Petersburg Anna Volkova.

Greeting the guests, Marina Malyutina reminded that SPbGASU teachers are high-qualified in the field of architecture and construction and that "we want to share these competencies not only with our students, but also with other residents of the city: with schoolchildren, students of other universities, with everyone who is interested in history, architecture, urban planning, with those who are interested in the construction technologies by which St Petersburg was and is being created." "I am sure," she added, "our mutually beneficial cooperation with the "Znaniye" society will be useful and interesting to a wide range of people."

“Knowledge is a value that should be accessible to everyone, and our joint project with the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering will contribute to this,” noted Anna Volkova, opening the first meeting of the cultural and educational project “City Stories”.

After the welcoming speeches, in a ceremonial atmosphere, a cooperation agreement was signed between the university and the "Znaniye" Society.

Anna Volkova guided the guests of the meeting through an introductory tour of the Kelkh mansion, during which the participants were able to see the unique architectural planning, technological and decorative solutions implemented in this historical building. Then, in the White Hall of the mansion, a lecture was given by the Dean of the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture, DSc in Architecture, Professor Ekaterina Vozniak on the topic "Architects of St Petersburg. Evolution of the Profession". The lecturer spoke about the change of architectural styles in St Petersburg from the Peter and Paul Cathedral to the Lakhta Center, about the fates and creations of the leading architects of our city, about how the perception of the profession has changed over time: from an architect-artist to an architect-engineer.

"'City Stories' is a platform for open dialogue and knowledge exchange in order to jointly preserve the city's heritage and pass it on to future generations. The project includes not only lectures and seminars, but also various interactive events, such as exhibitions, excursions and master classes, which are aimed at promoting knowledge about architecture, the city's everyday life, its way of life, habits, traditions - about the values ​​that form the unique identity of the Cultural Capital, - noted the project manager, Deputy Head of the SPbGASU Youth Policy Division Ekaterina Kovalenko. - Such events not only raise our cultural level, but also contribute to the creation of an active community capable of preserving and developing the unique heritage of St Petersburg."

Thematic lecture events will be held on a regular basis. "We hope that our project will contribute to the development of the urban environment and cultural landscape," concluded Ekaterina Kovalenko.