The International Exhibition of Calligraphy in St. Petersburg

On September 16th the International Exhibition of Calligraphy is opening at the Russian Academy of Arts.

Petersburgers and guests of the city will be the first to see a unique exposition containing over 350 art works by illustrious representatives of calligraphic schools from 24 countries.
The exhibition will include exhibits from the past and future. The collection counts up to 250 exhibits among which are the most interesting and understudied specimens of Slavonic script, national historical manuscripts, rare letters and documents of the Imperial House of Romanov from the archives of the State Historical Museum.

The exhibition visitors will study the collection of rare handwritten and miniature books from private collections, writing utensils of different epochs and unique calligraphic art works of present days.

The first and only handwritten Constitution of the Russian Federation will become an exclusive exhibit of the show. The Constitution is the “offspring” of a whole group of calligraphers and publishers headed by Petr Chobitko, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Union of Calligraphers, professor of the St. Petersburg Art and Industry Academy, member of the Russian Union of Artists. A folio of exquisite design will be presented on September 17th at the official opening ceremony of the project and will have pride of place at the exposition.

The framework of the exhibition will include master classes of Russian and foreign calligraphers who will give lessons on beautiful handwriting to schoolchildren and students, and professionals will be able to attend lectures, panel sessions, seminars and calligraphic performances. There is a special program prepared for children.

Besides this, the masters of calligraphy will give lessons of calligraphy for the orphans of St. Petersburg Orphanage No 23.

The project is supported by: the Presidential administration; Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation; Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Education, Higher Education; Press and Mass Media Cooperation of the St. Petersburg Government; Director of the State Hermitage; President of the Moscow State University; President of St. Petersburg State University; Presidents of MGIMO; Repin St. Petersbourg State Academic Institution of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture; Russian Academy of Arts; Stieglitz St. Petersburg State Academy of Art and Industry; Directors of the Russian State Library, Russian National Library, State Museum of History, Research and Development Museum of the Russian Academy; Chairman of the Board of the World Club of Peterburgers and many famous people of the two capitals. Partners of the project: Russian State Library, Russian National Library, World of Petersburgers, and Rare book from St. Petersburg, publishing house, Astoria Hotel, and Sokolniki exhibition centre.

Media partners: Rossiyskaya gazeta, Argumenti I Fakti publishing house, Baltic Information Agency and newspapers of the Baltic media group. Special thanks to: the Committee for Press and Mass Media Cooperation of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Union of Journalists. Organizers: the National Union of Calligraphers and the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy.

The International Exhibition of Calligraphy will be opened on September 17th, 2008 at 2 pm at I.E. Repin St. Petersburg State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Address: 17, University Embankment. Admission by invitation only. Accredited mass media only.

Source: Internet-portal Muzei Rossii