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Kult.Quest to Take Place on 8 June
© HSE UNIVERSITY
As summer begins, HSE students, in collaboration with the Centre for Leadership and Volunteer Work and with support from the Shchusev State Museum of Architecture, will organise a cultural and historical quest around HSE buildings. The event will help students discover the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Basmanny district, drawing attention to the places passed on their daily route to university.
Participants will form teams of five and, guided by clues from a Telegram bot, solve riddles, complete tasks, and learn fascinating facts about urban architecture and history. The chatbot will act as a virtual guide, helping the teams navigate the route and providing exciting challenges. Winners and finalists will receive prizes from the organisers and project partners.
In an interview with the HSE News Service, the event's organisers shared details about how they created the quest.
Lyubava Efimova
Curator of Kult.Quest
— Our quest is a blend of two narratives: a classic quest with tasks and a podcast. This format brings otherwise faceless buildings to life and allows for a deeper historical immersion. Let me show you the participant’s journey using one of the stops as an example. At first glance, the Tea House on Myasnitskaya is just ‘pretty’ in an abstract way. Then the participant arrives at the building, listens to the podcast, and suddenly understands what makes it so beautiful. But that is just the beginning! The second layer of immersion begins at the stop itself—actors in historical costumes invite the team to take part in a themed challenge. Now the participant personally feels this beauty, having experienced a two-part immersion and built a connection with the location. This format helps one to retain a lot of interesting information — not just have fun with friends (although that is a key part of it too!).
Konstantin Shashkov
Coordinator of Kult.Quest and developer of the chatbot
— Our quest is not a typical guided tour. There are no tour guides or dull maps. Participants are guided by a Telegram bot, while actors and intriguing tasks await them at each location. The bot does not just show the way—it brings the quest to life by assigning tasks, tracking each team’s progress, and sharing podcast excerpts created specifically for the event. This kind of quest will fill you with vivid emotions and be truly unforgettable!
After the quest, the organisers will release a unique audio journey through the Basmanny district as a podcast, making it available to the public. This will offer everyone, including those unable to take part, the chance to discover Moscow from a new perspective. The podcast is intended for anyone who wishes to experience the spirit of the city. Listeners can expect interviews with historians, cultural figures, architecture specialists, and local experts—along with little-known stories beyond typical tourist guides.
Podcast topics include the legends surrounding the Stalin-era skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment, secrets of the Morozov merchants’ mansion, and stories behind famous architectural landmarks. Participants will discover how the district has evolved from the time of the German Quarter to the present day, and what incredible stories lie hidden behind familiar façades.
The podcast features contributions from the staff at the Shchusev State Museum of Architecture, as well as lecturers in history and cultural studies from HSE University and urban researchers and scholars. It will be available on most popular platforms for all to enjoy.
Kult.Quest is a chance to see Moscow in a new light, discover its hidden secrets, and have fun with friends.
The quest begins on 8 June at 12 p.m., Pokrovsky Bulvar, Building 11, Room M-111.
To register, form a team of five people and apply via the link (in Russian). Places are limited.
