Historian Evgeny Melekhov will tell how a provincial fair near the Makaryev Monastery turned into the main trading hub of the country. Evgeny Melekhov will explain how several trading rows near the Makaryev Monastery transformed into a major economic center that determined the fate of entire regions. Listeners will learn why the interests of Russian and foreign merchants converged here and how deals made on the Volga influenced life in the capitals. Through the history of the fair, one can understand how trade routes were formed, what delays of caravans meant, and what risks people took when embarking on a long journey for a profitable contract. Part of the lecture will be dedicated to the famous formula comparing the roles of Russian cities: the capital on the Neva is assigned the role of the head, Moscow - the heart, and Nizhny Novgorod - the financial hub of the country. Evgeny Melekhov will explain how this characterization was born, what it stands for, and why it is important for understanding history. Through the words of contemporaries, documents, and interesting facts, merchant characters, everyday details, and the scale of the fair, which is difficult to judge today based on museum exhibitions, will come to life. The lecture is part of the series "The World of Russian Merchants." Where to go in Moscow today will be told by our website.