Versailles Park. The Seine flows through its heart. And what is this extraordinary structure? Could it be the Eiffel Tower - assembled, oh so Frenchly, from empty wine bottles?
Not quite.
Before you stands a genuine space rocket, poised for launch. The transparent glass bottles covering its surface await only one thing before liftoff—not wine, of course, but messages. This rocket has only one destination: upward. Its mission is to deliver humanity's letters to the Universe.
Centuries ago, during the age of the conquistadors, shipwreck survivors would seal desperate pleas for rescue inside bottles and cast them into the open sea, hoping the currents would carry them to someone adventurous and compassionate enough to respond.
The Bottle Rocket also embarks on a one-way journey, though its mission is not one of rescue.
For more than a century, humanity has been transmitting radio signals into deep space in search of extraterrestrial civilizations, yet no reply has ever come. Perhaps it is time to return to more traditional methods. Carrier pigeons would never survive in space—but a rocket just might make it.
Have you ever wanted the Universe to hear your voice? Dreamed of making contact with extraterrestrial intelligence?
This is your chance.
On the festival's final evening, the rocket will be launched in a symbolic ceremony accompanied by music and fireworks. Anyone who manages to place a letter inside one of its bottles before launch becomes part of the mission.
Not quite.
Before you stands a genuine space rocket, poised for launch. The transparent glass bottles covering its surface await only one thing before liftoff—not wine, of course, but messages. This rocket has only one destination: upward. Its mission is to deliver humanity's letters to the Universe.
Centuries ago, during the age of the conquistadors, shipwreck survivors would seal desperate pleas for rescue inside bottles and cast them into the open sea, hoping the currents would carry them to someone adventurous and compassionate enough to respond.
The Bottle Rocket also embarks on a one-way journey, though its mission is not one of rescue.
For more than a century, humanity has been transmitting radio signals into deep space in search of extraterrestrial civilizations, yet no reply has ever come. Perhaps it is time to return to more traditional methods. Carrier pigeons would never survive in space—but a rocket just might make it.
Have you ever wanted the Universe to hear your voice? Dreamed of making contact with extraterrestrial intelligence?
This is your chance.
On the festival's final evening, the rocket will be launched in a symbolic ceremony accompanied by music and fireworks. Anyone who manages to place a letter inside one of its bottles before launch becomes part of the mission.
Program
Thursday–Saturday, July 23–25, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Write your message to the Universe inside the rocket (Admission is one visitor at a time)
Saturday–Sunday, July 25–26, 11:50 PM – 12:10 AM
Symbolic Rocket Launch Ceremony featuring fireworks and champagne.
Thursday–Saturday, July 23–25, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Write your message to the Universe inside the rocket (Admission is one visitor at a time)
Saturday–Sunday, July 25–26, 11:50 PM – 12:10 AM
Symbolic Rocket Launch Ceremony featuring fireworks and champagne.
Curator and producer: Anatoly Belov
Author: Alexey Ilyin, in collaboration with Ulyana Karpova, with the participation of Alexey Ilin Architects
(Architect: Ekaterina Sennikova)
Partners: Larta Glass, Vinograd Wine & Gastronomy Festival
Author: Alexey Ilyin, in collaboration with Ulyana Karpova, with the participation of Alexey Ilin Architects
(Architect: Ekaterina Sennikova)
Partners: Larta Glass, Vinograd Wine & Gastronomy Festival