The Day of Slavic Writing at the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy

On May 23 in the context of the celebrations dedicated to the Days of Slavic Writing and Culture on the threshold of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Day, the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy is presenting a new exposition, entitled “Slavic writing. Origins, History and Development.”

Historical evidence concerning the pioneering period of origination and development of the Slavic Writing is scarce. Perhaps this is why its history is full of guesswork and myths. It was more than one thousand years ago that the Greek missionaries brought an alphabet to the Slavs. However, various hypotheses on the origins of writing continue to multiply. The curious fact is that in the 10th century the Slavs were actually using two alphabets. Meanwhile the place and time of the writing’s origination is still unclear, and many generations of researchers have been working on the problem.

The visitors will be able to learn more about the history of Slavic writing and various types of handwritten Cyrillic book hand: Uncial, Half-Uncial, Cursive, and Ornate Lettering, as well as participate in calligraphers’ master-classes.

Besides, Sokolniki MEC together with the Regional Public Charity Aid Fund for Gravely Ill and Deprived Children are preparing a special culture and education programme for orphan children from Moscow orphanages and children suffering from cancer. The event will feature the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, music bands, and artists interested in Slavic culture.

The new exposition of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy is opening on May 23, 2009 at 3 pm.

The museum is opened for all comers from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is free.

The Slavic Saints Cyril and Methodius with their Disciples, a fresco from the Saint Naum Monastery near Lake Orchid of the Balkan Peninsula

The Old Slavonic alphabet

A page from the so-called Izbornik of 1076, written in Old Russian Script based on the Cyrillic alphabet

Glagolic Codex Zographensis, 10-11th centuries

Source: Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy