Mystery of the World of Calligraphy exhibition

(December 9th—14th, 2008, Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre, Moscow)

The Mystery of the World of Calligraphy exhibition was officially opened on the 9^th of December. The first words that come across your mind when you try to describe the event are «elegance», «grace», «refinement»...

The Opening ceremony

At the beginning Denis Shapovalov , Mstislav Rostropovich’s apprentice, played Bach.

Denis Shapovalov playing

Andrey Busygin, Deputy Minister of Culture, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. He also cited a telegram from Alexander Avdeyev, the RF Minister of Culture.

Andrey Busyghin, Deputy Minister of Culture RF

The opening ceremony was attended by many famous calligraphers: Evgeny Dobrovinsky, Pyotr Chobitko, Yuri Koverdyaev, Nazip Ismagilov and Andrea and Volker Thomas Wunderlich came purposely from Germany. Israeli calligraphy was represented by Avraham Borshchevsky and India by Manohar Desai.

Manohar Desai, Indian calligrapher

Avraham Borshchevsky, calligrapher artist, Hebrew sacral texts expert

Andrea and Volker Thomas Wunderlich have ornamented one of the museum’s walls

Chen Wenfu (China) Yuri Koverdyaev (Russia) Nazip Ismagilov (Russia) Georgy Kozubov (Russia)

Among the guests of honor were representatives from the diplomatic corps of Israel, Jordan, Iran, Mongolia, Palestine, Peru, Japan.

A miniature copy of the Israeli Declaration of Independence presented by the Israeli Cultural Centre Akira Imamura,
Minister of the Japanese Embassy in Russia Hasan Al-Dabbas,
Counsellor of the Jordanian Embassy in Russia

The exhibition has featured the works of more than seventy well-known calligraphers representing different traditions and schools from: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Europe, Baltic States, USA, Israel, China, Japan, Syria, Mongolia, Turkey, Australia, India, Taiwan, Palestine, Jordan, Brazil, Peru, Armenia and Iran.

Calligraphy from around the world has filled the museum

The exposition also displayed: manuscript samples of immense historic value of different ages; rare handwritten books; a collection of miniature books; utensils for writing and lettering and books about calligraphy published in different countries. Applied calligraphy was represented by embroidery and calligraphic engravings.

Applied calligraphy Miniature books collection

The hallmark of that exhibition, and in general of all the projects within the framework of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy, was a tight schedule of lectures, demonstrations and master-classes from the most prominent calligraphers. Another distinctive feature was the fact that the programme was aimed not only at professionals but at wide audience as well, including children.

Yevgeny Dobrovinsky engaged the children in an absorbing adventure

Master-classes of Pyotr Chobitko

The exhibition framework has featured a unique event: the presentation of the first handwritten Constitution of the Russian Federation. Moreover, thirty-five miniature constitutions (of the USSR, Russian Federation, USA, CSI, Asia and Europe) were on special display. The text of the inauguration oath and speech of Dmitry Medvedev, RF President incumbent, aroused considerable interest.

Handwritten oath of Dmitry Medvedev First handwritten Constitution of the Russian Federation Collection of miniature constitutions of different countries

A milestone in the grand project: the International exhibition of calligraphy was erected on December 14, 2008. It is a bit sad to come into empty halls that were overcrowded the day before, where music played and sounds of children’s astonished exclamations wafted all around the hall... But the project organizers have already announced their future plans including: new exhibitions, festivals and many other things.

The project team

See you soon!