Why did the leading architect in the world choose St. Petersburg for the prestigious award ceremony? The lecture by Nadezhda Koblova will explain how the Russian avant-garde inspired Zaha Hadid and why she repeatedly turned to the aesthetics of Malevich and Lissitzky. It is a story of the dialogue of arts and bold forms that change space. In 2004, St. Petersburg became the venue for the Pritzker Prize - the most prestigious award in the world of architecture. With this gesture, the international community acknowledged not only Zaha Hadid's achievements but also the significance of Russia's cultural code, especially the avant-garde of the 1920s. This layer of history and art is what art historian Nadezhda Koblova addresses in her lecture "Leningrad Avant-Garde. Or Why Did Zaha Hadid Come to Us?". Listeners will learn how the radical ideas of Malevich, El Lissitzky, and other constructivist artists influenced the architecture of the 21st century. These ideas resonated with Hadid, inspiring her bold projects and her thesis work, which laid the foundation for her great career. The lecture will discuss how the images of the Russian avant-garde became the basis of the visual language of architectural future. Why did St. Petersburg - with its grand facades and classical symmetry - become the meeting place of the avant-garde and the architecture of the future? How does the cultural heritage of the city influence global artistic processes? And what did that solemn ceremony in the walls of the Hermitage mean for the global community? This intellectual journey will be particularly interesting for those who are interested in the history of art, architecture, cultural connections, and the personalities that define the era. Nadezhda Koblova, an experienced lecturer and art historian, emphasizes not only facts but also meanings, aesthetics, and images. The lecture will serve as a window into a world where the past shapes the future, and cultural dialogue is the main tool for change. Our website features the current program of St. Petersburg.