4.
This may be coming a bit too late, considering the Olympics are over and Sochi Park is dismantled, but I thought I’d share my impressions of the pavilion and assess the success of the Park’s mission.
Now, as opposed to Russia Park, Sochi Park was intended specifically to introduce Russia and the Krasnodar Region to foreigners. Whilst waiting in the queue, guests were sprinkled with snow – a good start, in my book. We were then invited into a cinema room, in which a heavily-accented guide explained the programme: we would watch a film, then enjoy a few rooms set up by sponsors of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Russia was presented through a selection of beautiful scenes; all narrated by Russian athletes using the catchphrase ‘this is my Russia’. I hate to admit it, considering I’m a big fan of the accent, but some sentences were entirely lost through incomprehensible English.
The next room offered some free souvenirs, a Formula 1 game, and some facts about Sochi and the Krasnodar Region.
This room was succeeded by an Russian Railways train, offering some more details about Sochi, and leading into the Megafon-sponsored gameroom.
Possibly the most exciting room on offer, the gameroom offered a selection of interactive, well, games, and also the chance to experience a bobsleigh ride through individual 4-D short films. I also got my photograph taken with this lovely lady holding the Olympic torch.
We were then ushered into a 4-D cinema – only to experience roughly the same as previously: a train, a bobsleighing track, and some sweeping landscape views. The 4-D effect was limited to the seats shaking slightly and some cool air directed at our faces. The film was quite short, and we next entered a dark room filled with several cubes, onto which were projected recordings of Russian athletes talking about their country. A gift-shop followed, and the tour was complete.
I’m disappointed to have missed the ice shows, which were sure to be beautiful and entertaining, but the pavilion itself could have definitely been improved. The interactive aspect was great in theory, but in practice the games and experiences were a little lacklustre. Russia has so much to offer, and yet this did not translate well into the exhibits at Sochi Park. I will concede that it accomplished its goal – introducing Russia – but it could’ve been much more engaging had there been more to do and – maybe I’m in the minority here – some group workshops.