The International Exhibition of Calligraphy in Saint Petersburg

I.E. Repin State Academic Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in St. Petersburg will launch the International Exhibition of Calligraphy on September 16th, 2008.

Visitors of the exhibition held in St. Petersburg will enjoy a unique exposition consisting of 350 works by elite representatives of a variety of calligraphy schools from 24 countries.

The exhibition unites rare items of the past ages and present day. Today’s collection includes 200 exhibits. Among the major exhibition pieces are beautiful samples of Slavic writing, historical manuscripts and manuscripts of the nations of the world, a vast collection of rare letters and documents belonging to the noble Russian family, the Romanovs and taken from the vaults of the State Historical Museum.

There is a great gallery of rare, scarce and unseen manuscripts and miniature books from private collections to be shown for the public eye. Besides these, they will see writing materials and utensils of all ages, and will be able to scrupulously examine modern originals and distinct samples of applied calligraphy.

A spotlight will be taken by the one and only handwritten copy of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Delicately designed, the folio is a result of the collective efforts and vision of a talented team comprised of professional calligraphers and publishers led by Pyotr Petrovich Chobitko, Presidium Chairman of the National Union of Calligraphers. The masterpiece is to be unveiled on September 17th during the official opening ceremony of the project and is to have a special place in the exhibition.

Around 40 Russian and foreign calligraphers will give master-classes for students and schoolchildren everyday within the exhibition programme. The exhibition will feature round table discussions, seminars, calligraphic performances and contests for amateur calligraphers. An exciting programme will get your little ones busy as well. Several master-classes for Orphanage 23 of Saint-Petersburg will also be given as a part of the event.

The project was supported by:
the Presidential Administration of Russia;
Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation;
the Chairmen of the Committee on Culture, Education, high school, the Committee for Press and Mass Media Cooperation of the Government of Saint Petersburg;
Director of the Hermitage;
Rector of the Moscow State University;
President of the Saint-Petersburg State University;
Rectors of MGIMO, I.E. Repin State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture of St. Petersburg, the Stieglitz Art and Industry Academy in Saint Petersburg;

Director of the Russian State Library, Director of the National Library of Russia in St Petersburg, Director of the State Historical Museum, Director of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts Museum;
Chairman of board of the World Club of Petersburgers;
Many other famous public characters from Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.

The project’s partners:
The MGIMO Alumni Association;
the Russian State Library;
the National Library of Russia;
The World Club of Petersburgers;
Astoria Hotel;
Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre;
The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy.

Media partners:
Rossiyskaya gazeta, newspaper;
Argumenty i Fakty (Arguments and Facts) weekly newspaper;
Baltic news agency;
Particular gratitude is given to the Committee for Press and Mass Media Cooperation; Union of Journalists of Saint-Petersburg.

The project’s organizers:
The National Union of Calligraphers;
MVK, the International Exhibition Company;

The official opening of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy will take place at I.E. Repin State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture of St. Petersburg at 2.00 pm on September 17th, 2008. Address: 17, Universitetskaya Embankment. Admission by invitation only. Press should have accreditation.

The International Exhibition of Calligraphy will be open for the general public from September 16th – 21st from 10 am - 6 pm. Address: 17, Universitetskaya Embankment. The entrance is free of charge.
 

Source: Rambler, Internet Holding