(September 10-12, 2010 Yaroslav's Court, Velikiy Novgorod)
The 3rd International exhibition of calligraphy has taken place in Velikiy Novgorod. The venue was chosen not by a chance. Velikiy Novgorod can boast of a rich history in manuscript production, which roots back in the times of Ancient Russia. When Christianity spread in Novgorod, it gave a real boost to the culture of handwriting. It is in Velikiy Novgorod where the ancient birchbark manuscripts were found. These are the written records of the 11th-15th centuries demonstrating a high level of literacy among the population. Even today the city remains one of the most significant Mecca of education, the major European art center and a vital “bastion” of orthodox Russia.
Novgorod Kremlin “Citadel” – the heart of Velikiy Novgorod. The main exhibition fairground was placed against the Kremlin
A new exhibition facility comprised of mobile pavilions occupying 2,000 square meters was built to host this unique exhibition in the historic area of the city on the Volkhov riverside, right at the territory of Yaroslav’s Court.
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| Pavilions grouped splendidly in the landscape |
In all, 19 trucks were used to transport the pavilions, exhibition equipment and showpieces from Moscow to Velikiy Novgorod. Thus, 136 tons of equipment and demonstration items travelled to Velikiy Novgorod. A high-skilled team of mounters, designers and workers was constructing pavilions and decorating their inner space. It took them just two weeks. This team was all in all comprised of 91 individuals.
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| Breathtaking process of creating exhibition space |
To make all demonstration items glimmer and shine, organizers have worked out a specific design for the exhibition area. It was all full of a diversity of nuances, details, candles, flower and lighting solutions. By doing that the organizers were planning to prepare all visitors towards a deeper and more sophisticated embracement of calligraphic works. So, moldings that framed the demonstration items were given a special focus – they were carefully and neatly chosen, and had their delicate flavor, thus becoming a part of the work demonstrating its beauty.
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| Not only the “wrap” was beautiful. Interior decoration boggled the imagination |
The 3rd International exhibition of calligraphy has embraced participants from 43 countries. The exposition core was comprised of works from the Sacral Calligraphy Collection. The speeches delivered by spiritual leaders of the major religious confessions were paying special attention to the fact that the art of calligraphy is destined to preserve national and cultural diversity of peoples as well as to at the same time become a tool for their spiritual convergence.
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"Remember not the sins of my youth and ignorance of mine …"
psalm 24, verse 7
Author: Petr Chobitko
(Russia) |
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"Remember not the sins of my youth..."
psalm 25, verse 7
Author: Avraham Borshevsky
(Israel) |
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"This day let no reproach be (cast) on you..."
surah 12 (Yusuf), ayah 92
Author: Nassar Mansour
(Jordan) |
Within just four days (including September 9 – the presentation day), the exhibition was visited by 37,000 people.
Among our honored guests there were the Governor of the Novgorod Region, S. Mitin, Mayor of Velikiy Novgorod, Yu. Bobryshev, Leo, the Archibishop of Great Novgorod and Staraya Russa. The 12th of September – the official closing day of the exhibition – was visited by the legendary conductor and Art Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev.
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Alexey Shaburov is running excursion
for Governor S. Mitin, Mayor Yu.Bobryshev and Master Leo |
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Valery Gergiev caught the last minutes of exhibition |
Totally 35 renowned calligraphers from various countries partook in the exhibitions. Among them there were calligraphers from Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Japan, Korea, India, Ukraine and Russia. Within a four-day span there were held 46 workshops and lectures covering a whole spectrum of calligraphy topics. Thus, every professional and amateur, every adult and child was offered a chance to find something to his or her liking.
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| The most attractive through the exhibition program were the master-classes |
The calligraphy expositions seated in the Yaroslav’s Court was not a unique showcase in the city. The “historical” part of the calligraphic festival was run at the territory of the Novgorod Kremlin with the assistance of the Contemporary museum of calligraphy. The Kremlin demonstrated birchbark manuscripts of the Ancient Russia and an independent exhibition of young calligraphers hosted in the Dialogue Culture Center.
For the first time ever in the framework of the international exhibition there was held a wakeboarding show tournament – WakeWorld Russia Cup – that pulled together the strongest pro-riders from Russia, Europe and Asia.
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| Showy action right aside the fairground |
Besides, for the first time under the context of the calligraphy exhibition there was organized the Night of Museums jointly with the Novgorod State United Museum and Nature Park.
The Novgorod Region Administration, Administration of Velikiy Novgorod, the Committee for Culture, Tourism and Archiving of the Novgorod Region provided their invaluable support to the project.
The organizers of the International exhibition of calligraphy are now making new plans. The year 2011 will present this fantastic project in Paris, while 2012 will welcome it in Moscow once again.
Project team
