The 3rd International Exhibition of Calligraphy presented yesterday now open for the public

Yesterday, on September 9th, 2010, the 3rd International Exhibition of Calligraphy was presented for VIP-persons, friends and journalists in the pavilion at Yaroslav's Court in Veliky Novgorod.

The International Exhibition of Calligraphy is the world's largest project dedicated to writing as an exquisite art form and its culture. Since 2009, the project has been implemented under the auspices of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO. As noted by the exhibition organizers, the project aims at keeping the unique art of calligraphy alive for future generations and its mission being to build a beautiful and healthy society (no matter how ambitiously and pompously it should sound).

Among the exhibits are calligraphic paintings, applied calligraphy items, writing utensils and materials, and unique masterpieces. The exhibition displays a World Famous Mezuzah, the world’s largest mezuzah, listed in the Guinness World Records, by Avraham Borshevsky, a sacred Hebrew calligraphy master from Israel. A mezuzah is a sacred scroll of parchment with two hand-written passages from the Pentateuch, proclaiming the oneness of God, love for Him and loyalty to His commandments. The parchment is rolled up and placed inside a case, affixed on the right side of every doorway of the house. Thus, the mezuzah is the most common manuscript in the world with more than three thousand years of history.

Moreover, the Sacred Mantra is among the unique items. It is a combination of fundamental sounds of the universe, the magic rule for communing with Gods, which is expressed in a verse or incantation. The mantra the citizens of Novgorod are to see is Karmapa Chenno, which can be translated as “Power of all the Buddhas, work through us, become one with us.” This is one of the most famous mantras in Tibet. A Golden Koran, a new monument of the 21st century art is also noteworthy. This is the only absolute replica of the Koran of Usman, an ancient Muslim manuscript of the 8th century. It took 1.5 years to coin it of the highest purity gold at 0.999 at the Moscow Mint in 2006. The Golden Koran consists of 162 pages by the number of surviving manuscript sheets. Citizens of Veliky Novgorod will see one of them. In total 375 calligraphic works by 111 artists from 43 countries will be displayed at the exhibition.

“I am confident the first Russian calligraphers were from Novgorod as first birch bark manuscripts were found here, and evidently, they are the origins of writing,” Yuri Bobryshev, Mayor of Veliky Novgorod said at the presentation. Lev, Archbishop of Veliky Novgorod and Staraya Russa also spoke on the art of beautiful handwriting, “It is an extraordinary event for Veliky Novgorod. Unfortunately, every day the hideous tide pop culture rises, whereas here is a pillar of traditional culture. To feel the tradition, to see ancient manuscripts, to touch old letters… all this is truly delightful.” Besides the masterpieces themselves a high level of organization should be noted as admirable by those present at the exhibition.

We would also like to remind you that the official opening of the exhibition is to be held today, on September 10th, at 02.00 pm. The opening of the exhibition for local residents is to take place at 03.00 pm. A concert program and wakeboarding and wakesurfing performances on the Volkhov river will rock the place. The exhibition will be open this weekend, September 11-12. The program includes: various master classes, tours, music and Veliky Novgorod dance group concerts, a wakeboarding tournament. Ticket for adults costs 250 rubles, for students: 150 rubles, and for schoolchildren: 50 rubles. Eight cameras will be running direct broadcasting for those who miss their chance to visit the exhibition. All footage on preparatory works will be available at the exhibition official website.

Source: Novgorod.ru (news)

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