The International Exhibition of Calligraphy will take place in the cultural capital of Russia: Saint-Petersburg

Citizens and guests of Saint-Petersburg will be the first in Russia to see the unique exposition, where more than 300 works of the most recognized representatives of calligraphic schools from 24 countries are presented.

The items of the past and present look as one at the exhibition. The exhibition gathers together 250 exhibits. Among then you will see the most curious and unexplored samples of Slavic writings, historical manuscripts and manuscripts of the nations of the world, rare letters and documents belonging to the noble Russian family, the Romanovs, and taken from the vaults of the State Historical Museum.

The visitors will see a vast gallery of rare, scarce and unseen manuscripts and miniature books from private collections. Besides this, 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.

The icing on the cake will be a presentation of the one and only handwritten copy of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The exclusive handwritten copy was executed by a group of calligraphers in collaboration with publishers. The outstanding work is considered to be a symbol of Russia’s rebirth and its statehood, a huge milestone in the domestic book publishing industry. Delicately designed, the folio is to be unveiled on September 17th and is to have a special place in the exhibition.

Around 40 Russian and foreign calligraphers will give master-classes for students and pupils everyday within the exhibition programme. The exhibition will feature round table discussions, seminars, calligraphic performances and contests for amateur calligraphers. There is also a great programme prepared for the little ones.

Several master-classes for Orphanage 23 of Saint-Petersburg will also be given as a part of the event.

The project’s organizers:

The National Union of Calligraphers and the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy

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 schools, the Committee for Press and Mass Media Cooperation in Saint-Petersburg;
Director of the Hermitage;
Rectors of: the Moscow State University; the Saint-Petersburg State University, MGIMO, the Repin State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture of St. Petersburg, Stieglitz Art and Industry Academy in Saint Petersburg, the Russian State Library, Director of the National Library of Russia in St Petersburg,
Directors of: the Russian State Library; the National Library of Russia in St Petersburg and the State Historical Museum,
the Russian Academy of Fine Arts Museum;
Chairman of board of the World Club of Petersburgers;
Many famous public characters from Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.

The project’s partners:

The MGIMO Alumni Association;
The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy.
The Russian State Library;
The National Library of Russia in St Petersburg;
The World Club of Petersburgers;
The Rare Book of Saint-Petersburg Publishing House;
Astoria Hotel;
Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Media partners:

Baltic news agency;
Argumenty i Fakty (Arguments and Facts) Publishing House;
Rossiyskaya gazeta, newspaper;
Newspapers of the Baltic media-group: Nevskoe vremya. Smena, Vecherniy Peterburg, Vechernee vremya.
Particular gratitude is declared to the Committee for Press and Mass Media Cooperation; Union of Journalists of Saint-Petersburg.

The official opening of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy will take place at the Academy of Arts in Russia at 2.00 pm on September 17th, 2008.
Address: 17, Universitetskaya Embankment.

The official opening ceremony will be attended by representatives of: the Government of Saint-Petersburg, the diplomatic corps of Saint-Petersburg, the Russian State Library and the National Library of Russia in St. Petersburg; the World Club of Petersburgers, creative unions and organizations of St. Petersburg, charity foundations, educational institutions of St. Petersburg, and also famous political and public figures.

More detailed information on the project:

constitution.sokolniki.com 
www.calligraphy-expo.com

Source: Noviy Mecenat, online magazine

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