Svetlana Sokolova

Age: 51

Svetlana Sokolova is the director of the most visited location in Kaliningrad — the Zoo. In 2012, under her leadership, the stage-by-stage reconstruction of the zoo, the history of which dates back to 1896, began. As of today, it is one of the three historical zoos left in the country (along with the ones in Moscow and St. Petersburg), with more than 20 historical structures preserved — a serious competitive advantage, which serves as one of the main attractions in the region.

An old park, delightful at any given time of the year; various animal species housed either in little lodges under thatched roof or in modern pavilions; vibrant cultural life make the Zoo of Kaliningrad something you absolutely have to see for yourself.

Svetlana considers the promotion of a positive change in the landscape of the urban environment and the creation of one of the centers of attraction of Russian and foreign tourists to the Kaliningrad region as one of the strategic goals of the territory development of the zoo.

She would like to reconstruct the zoo to the level of one of the best in Russia and strengthen its competitiveness with European zoos.

With Svetlana in charge, the state of the zoo has changed dramatically. How to set a record attendance? How to find money for all potential improvements? How to ensure the safety of people and animals? How to build a hut for a bear and get a manicure … for an elephant? This is just a small part of the questions that Svetlana is faced with on a daily basis.

The zoo was the initiator of the regional children’s inter-museum «Islands» festival; now participates in the annual «Museum Night» project, thereby popularizing the history of the zoo, developing a love for animals, active family weekends and museum culture in general.