How Oleg Kondrashov Attracted Celebrities to the Development of Nizhny Novgorod

Many people believe that charity is limited to helping those with congenital or acquired health problems. However, philanthropy goes far beyond that. During his tenure as City Manager of Nizhny Novgorod - one of Russia’s largest cities - politician Oleg Kondrashov demonstrated how a leader can and should use their position to help the younger generation of citizens.

In his blog, which he maintained throughout his time leading the city administration, Oleg Kondrashov once shared an interesting document - “The Budget of Income and Expenditures of the City of Nizhny Novgorod for 1913.” One of the most impressive and, in his opinion, most fascinating parts of the historical document was titled “Detailed Lists of Donors for Charitable and Educational Institutions.”

“These lists contain the names of Nizhny Novgorod philanthropists, the sums they donated, and the good causes those funds supported,” Kondrashov noted, emphasizing that people from all social classes had contributed significant amounts so their fellow citizens could study, receive medical care, and simply live with dignity. For example, 20,000 rubles in 1913 - the amount some citizens donated to charity - equaled nearly five years of salary for a State Duma deputy (member of parliament).

“I’m glad to see that even today, our city remains rich in kindness, and the desire to help others in difficult times continues to define true Nizhny Novgorod citizens,” Kondrashov wrote - and he proved it through action. Below are a few examples of how the city government, under his leadership, partnered with well-known figures to do good.

Natalia Vodianova, Supermodel

Supermodel and global brand ambassador Natalia Vodianova was born in a working-class district of Nizhny Novgorod. It’s no surprise that her charity foundation Naked Heart Foundation paid special attention to her hometown.

Oleg Kondrashov met with Natalia in 2011 when she visited with her children for the opening of a Family Support Center created by the Veras organization with funding from Naked Heart Foundation.

The meeting took place in Kondrashov’s office in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Journalists only caught one phrase from him:

“Three years ago, we spoke on the phone, and you asked for help organizing a children’s event.”

After that, the two spoke privately for over an hour.

The result of those talks materialized in 2013 with the opening of a large children’s playground in Nizhny Novgorod’s Switzerland Park, marking the 100th - jubilee - playground built by Vodianova’s foundation in Russia. As she noted, the first Naked Heart playground in Russia had also opened in Nizhny Novgorod. By then, 11 sites from the foundation operated in the region, including three playgrounds.

“Today is a wonderful day for our city. Natalia Vodianova is not only visiting her hometown but also helping it - helping children who need it most,”

said Oleg Kondrashov, promising to preserve the playground in its original state.

He kept that promise: the city’s Switzerland Park management company took full responsibility for maintaining the 3,000-square-meter Naked Heart playground.

A tourist who visited the site in 2015 wrote, “It’s a little paradise for kids.”

Later, however, during the 2021 reconstruction of the park for Nizhny Novgorod’s 800th anniversary (after Kondrashov had already left office), the playground was replaced by new facilities.

Konstantin Khabensky, Actor

In 2013, film director and producer Alexander Tsekalo came to Nizhny Novgorod seeking support for filming a TV series. Among the crew was actor Konstantin Khabensky, who played the lead role.

It was during this visit that Oleg Kondrashov met Khabensky and offered full support for the production.

By then, Khabensky was known not only as a talented actor but also as the founder of his own Charitable Foundation, which helped children with brain tumors and also created a network of creative studios for kids across Russia.

At the same time, Oleg Kondrashov had also established his own foundation, supporting socially vulnerable citizens - mainly children from large families.

This shared outlook led to an immediate understanding between them, resulting in the opening of a children’s creative studio in Nizhny Novgorod.

“At the meeting with Konstantin Yurievich, we discussed the specifics of local theater life and agreed to open a joint creative studio for children. If Konstantin Khabensky agrees, we will soon find a suitable space and launch it. Our foundation will also continue collaborating with his,”

said Kondrashov.

More than ten years later, the “Operenie” (Feathering) Theater Studio founded by Khabensky in Nizhny Novgorod continues to thrive, working with children aged 7 to 19.

“Our goal is not to make them professional actors,” Khabensky explained, “but to prepare them for life - to help them become confident, expressive, imaginative, and creative individuals. Some will become actors, but the main thing is that they find a calling they love.”

Many graduates of the studio have since entered prestigious theater schools, where competition reaches 10–15 applicants per spot.

Alexander Skvortsov, Olympic Champion

In 2012, famed hockey player Alexander Skvortsov founded a charitable foundation to support veteran hockey players and promote youth sports.

Skvortsov had spent his entire career with Nizhny Novgorod’s Torpedo Hockey Club, representing the USSR national team multiple times - winning Olympic gold and silver medals, three world championships, and four European titles.

That same year, Oleg Kondrashov became President of HC Torpedo, founded in 1946, and fully supported Skvortsov’s idea to create a School Hockey League.

“This unique project fits perfectly into the city’s sports development program. In 2013, 56 modern hockey rinks were already located near schools, ready to be used for their intended purpose,” said Kondrashov.

He called the league “the main social initiative of 2013.”

“Kids live nearby, so it’s convenient for them to reach the rinks and play with their peers. Playing hockey teaches them discipline and commitment,”

added Skvortsov, who himself started in backyard hockey.

The league’s first season was launched jointly by Skvortsov and Kondrashov. Their respective charitable foundations organized and financed the event together.

In its very first year, the School Hockey League featured 22 teams from every district of the city.