Calligraphy exhibition opened in Kazan Cathedral

On April 30 the Kazan Cathedral crypt has seen opening of the exhibition dubbed In The Beginning Was The Word, which features calligraphy artworks and copies of ancient Slavonic manuscripts made by easel graphic and book works department students from Saint-Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design.

Along the artworks one can find mounts telling about saint apostles of the Slavs, Cyril and Methodius, two ancient Slavonic writing systems (Glagolitic and Cyrillic) and historical forms of Cyrillic (uncial, half-uncial, cursive and vyaz).

Head of the Kazan Cathedral cultural and educational centre, Mikhail Shastin, opened the exhibition and said it is to coincide with the Cyril and Methodius day – the Orthodox Church venerates memory of Slavonic writing originators on May 24.

Head of the educational department of the cathedral, Natalia Feofanova noted the students’ works on display are of a particular importance as the young generation resorts to their ancestors’ experience to keep the tradition. She wished they stayed strong in the pursuit of their goals and kept on working, given that the origin and meaning of the topic they refer to were closely connected to the church. “Perhaps some of you may find your way to the church through this art”, she mentioned.

Alexander Pozhvanov, acting easel graphic and book works department chairman, is confident that the script art is one of the key pillars for a graphic artist or a scribe.

“The word can be expressed and preserved in any vehicle using graphic symbols, which deliver information and help us keep experience, knowledge and ideas of the previous generations to be passed on to the successors. The ability of good speech and writing is what fuels any man’s culture, intelligence and dignity. This exhibition in the cathedral subtilizes our pursuits and aspirations”, he stressed.

Senior teacher of the department Julia Kursheva drew the attention of those present that the works on display were made by 1st and 2nd year students, yet the quality was notably impressive. “I am proud to be a part of the easel graphic and book works department as we keep the tradition and pass it on to the future generations”, she said.

One of the Kazan Cathedral parishioners, the honoured artist of Russia Evgeny Bolshakov, said the exhibition was a milestone in Saint-Petersburg cultural life.

“There have hardly been any local script exhibitions lately. Modern mechanization has wiped away the artistic attitude to the script, and after all script is not mere writing of certain texts but a consecrated insight into the meaning of it. I find the idea of this exhibition brilliant, and the artworks are great, these 1st year students demonstrate outstanding artistic skills in what they do. They are engaged into a meaningful process, there is nothing accidental or irrelevant in our lives. Continuing with the exhibition’s opening line, it says “In the beginning was the Word… and the word was God”. I hope it’s God’s will for you folks to keep on fathoming the art and blossom out”.

On Cyril and Methodius day, May 24, the Kazan Cathedral crypt will hold a 3-hour workshop where the easel graphic and book works department students from Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design will teach calligraphy basics to everyone interested.

Calligraphy exhibition opened in Kazan Cathedral

Source: mitropolia.spb.ru