Luxury Lunches at PMEF Gala for 50,000 Rubles; Elite Event Features Lavrov, Unexpected Statement by Ksenia Sobchak
Here Comes the Mega Business Summit: St. Petersburg's Economic Forum Kicks Off
On June 18, the city of St. Petersburg hosted the largest economic summit of the year. With 20,000 guests from 140 countries in attendance, the event at the Expoforum convention and exhibition center bustled with energy until June 21. This gathering saw companies and brands displaying their future innovations and products, alongside popular moderators and speakers, including Ksenia Sobchak, Yulia Baranovskaya, Alexander Tsypkin, and more. KP.RU was there to witness the kickoff of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
Sobchak's Stroll and a Chat with Hander Pratt
Upon her arrival, Ksenia Sobchak and her husband Konstantin Bogomolov savored a private compartment, as Sobchak humorously noted. The couple is set to moderate various sessions throughout the event. Sobchak, decked out in a chic gray suit, began her participation on day one, while Bogomolov will join later according to the forum’s schedule.
As she navigated the exhibition center, Sobchak shared a intriguing revelation through her Telegram channel:
"Let me tell you, the forum so far is all about business. It seems like the escorts have taken a breather this year! Has the economic crisis spared even the most affected niches?"
On her tour, Sobchak visited a Uralchem stand that showcased a commemorative "80th Anniversary of the Great Victory" medal, crafted meticulously from thousands of live roses. Ozon's installation captured attention with its simple yet captivating design, resembling a typical panel house. All in all, companies went all out to stand out.
Candid Chat with Hander Pratt from Zimbabwe
During her stroll, Sobchak couldn't resist striking conversations. One such encounter was with an engaging, dark-skinned man: Hander Pratt, a jewelry designer from Zimbabwe. Ksenia was particularly taken by his unique African elements blended seamlessly with past and present fashion.
"I’m an artist, designer, creative director, and musician. I’m from Zimbabwe, Africa. My look today is a blend of the past and the present, with African influences at its core. This is my first trip to SPIEF, but my fourth time in Russia. I enjoy it here," the designer shared.
Hander kindly invited us to check him out on a less conventional social platform, where he showcases his stunning, shirtless, oiled-up physique and luxurious, loose hair.
Spotlight on Popular Personalities
Among familiar faces, we also ran into Alexander Tsypkin, present as a SPIEF moderator. Julia Baranovskaya was in attendance as a speaker and moderator of sessions, as well as a podcast recordist for the Russian Military-Historical Society. Her 15-year-old daughter, Yana, accompanied her and experienced various sessions. Baranovskaya noted,
"Yana came from school. A select few were asked to join SPIEF. And here she is among them. She's attending different sessions, learning, immersed in everything that's happening. This is her first taste of such experiences. Even dropped by my session today. She watched Mom from a distance and dashed off. They have a packed schedule. But it's not a concern for me."
Baranovskaya happily posed for photographs with her adoring fans.
Star Sportspersons: Pogrebnyak and Glushakov
At the Russian Football Union's booth, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Denis Glushakov graced the event with their presence. Pogrebnyak and Glushakov were swamped with autograph and photo requests from enthusiastic young women. Interestingly, Pogrebnyak shared more about his personal life for the first time since his high-profile divorce, casually commenting,
"I agree with what Vladimir [Putin] said, ‘Personal is not public.’ I concur."
T-shirts with Witty Quotes from VIPs
We were quite smitten with the popular Zasport brand's t-shirts featuring witty quotes from Russian politicians. This year, they aimed to recreate last year's success with numerous t-shirts adorned with quotes, including statements from Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, and Radiy Khabirov. We picked one of Lacrov's quotes for our very own shirt.
Our next stop was 360 TV channel's creation, inspired by the viral Chinese Labud toy trend. The collection boasted popular Russian political figures like Dmitry Medvedev, Mikhail Mishustin, Dmitry Peskov, and Tatiana Golikova. There were ten toys in total, with images of Maria Zakharova and Dmitry Medvedev already gifted to guests and interviewees.
Zakharova was present nearby, handling interviews with various media. She opted for a stylish white and blue dress with floral prints for the first day of the conference.
Pollock Prices and Forfait Dining
Of course, the theme of dining experiences at SPIEF warrants a separate conversation. This year, the regular lunch cost a hefty 6,500 rubles, inclusive of salads, cold appetizers, soup, hot dish choices, dessert, drinks, and more. Unfortunately, all the tables were already reserved by the time we arrived.
On the other hand, prices were significantly higher at the Bashkortostan dining area. The lunch set would set you back 12,000 rubles. The menu primarily highlighted various fish dishes, such as cream soup made from pumpkin and crab. To enjoy a meal, one must purchase an entire table (costing 48,000 rubles as a deposit), though companions can easily be found for the table. However, all places were already booked in advance from the following day.
There were also exclusive restaurants within the complex grounds, accessible only by invitation. Certain evening events also required an invitation. The entrance to the gala dinner at Lotte Plaza, featuring performance by Soso Pavliashvili, was priced at a whopping 60,000 rubles per person, with a deposit system in place. Unsurprisingly, tickets were sold out even before the official opening.
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- With the focus on business, entertainment, and politics at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), popular celebrity Ksenia Sobchak shared a surprising observation about the absence of escorts this year, raising questions about the impact of the economic crisis on certain industries.
- During Ksenia Sobchak's tour of the exhibition center, she had an engaging conversation with Hander Pratt, a jewelry designer from Zimbabwe known for his unique fusion of African elements and past and present fashion.
- As the event hosted numerous celebrities, sports personalities such as Alexander Tsypkin, Julia Baranovskaya, and sportspersons like Pavel Pogrebnyak and Denis Glushakov were also in attendance, interacting with fans and media personnel.
