Creative spaces of Saint Petersburg

In early 90’s the common property was privatised by newly formed oligarchy. So both industrial building and historical houses belonged for years to the narrow group of people who had not many ideas of new functions for them. It turned out into plenty of abandoned or unused space in the modern center. Since 2012 more and more young entrepreneurs use this space following Western trends with Russian specific. Does any investor come to art scene? Where do we meet censorship or discrimination? Is it easy to run your own bar, coffee shops, showroom or craft workshop in the second biggest city in Russia? Let’s see how it works and discuss political and cultural aspects and try to find something unique behind the global trends.

I'm Olya. I'm not a tour guide but an activist relating with creative spaces and modern culture scene since 2012, now work in civic educational project ‘Trava’.

The tour is flexible according to the weather, your interests and events happening in the places. We might see the oldest art-center squatted by underground artists and musicians in early 90's, 10 year old space in the former bread factory, designers spot and modern creative spaces. I'll tell the last history of creative spaces, recommend some design shops and cozy cafe and bars. We can visit some exhibitions and sometimes events, try local streetfood. I'd give you extra contacts and recommendations based on your interest. So I'll be your local guide in the scene. And we'd discuss politics, globalization and try to find something unique behind the global trends.

Dear tourists, I can't be available every day to host a tour so please don't pay for it until I confirm it with a customized (not automatic) letter.

You can also use my map: http://trava.education/creativespaces.