In 1956, the U.S.S.R. held a conference within East Germany promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, specifically in relation to the development of reliable, inexpensive power. Created in response to the Atoms for Peace convention in Geneva the previous year, it focused on Soviet developments in nuclear technology. Unlike that conference, however, this one was open to the public (but not free), and was, therefore, less about true scientific exchange and more about convincing citizens of Soviet superiority in the field.