Fellow thinkers visit museum

On Thursday, March 9, the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy welcomed its fellow thinkers – founders and students of the calligraphy course in Pyatnitskoye metochion of Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra in Sergiyev Posad.

Archbishop Pavel Velikanov is the encourager and founder of the course, and a senior priest in the metochion, while graphic artist, member of the Union of Artists and icon painter Viktor Novikov serves as a calligraphy teacher. Among the students of all ages, including teenagers, family couples or the elderly, one may find both church people and those simply inspired by art and the process of mastering new skills. Many of them have once attended the course, guided by curiosity or Father Pavel's advice, and stayed for keeps having found an art to their liking. Now they progress mastering new scripts and writing techniques under Viktor Novikov's professional supervision.

The guests were keen to tour the exhibit, which represented the works of contemporary artists from all over the world, while the museum guide Irina Kornilova's comments let them know the authors to some extent, touch upon their thoughts and see the way various artists conceive calligraphy and what ideas and emotions their works are imbued with. Since calligraphy is not mere fine writing: its expressive powers are much broader. For some it served as a new source of inspiration and intent to try their hand in new techniques and approaches.

Interestingly, the calligraphy courses are not the only art school that gained momentum in Sergiyev Posad thanks to Father Pavel's good graces. For some time now the Russian Palace of Interests operates in the town - its founders characterize it as a “town centre of creative leisure for every family member”. With the aim of drawing people away from laptops and tablets and showing them the abundant life and personal fulfilment through handcraft, Father Pavel gathers equally inspired people who are happy to share their knowledge and skills with others. Today an entire craft quarter functions in the Palace, offering to learn joinery, pottery, weaving or glass painting. Art movements including calligraphy, art, watercolours, clay moulding and animated cartoons keep apace too. Indeed any family member can find an activity to their liking.

We believe these are the very endeavours that lay a foundation for the education of future generations, and the synergy will let us reach the most ambitious goals.

Fellow thinkers visit museum