VDNH and the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts were laureates in the «Homage to the Place» category at the inaugural «Hommage. Watch Russia» awards. The ceremony took place on 12 October at the Yermolova Theatre.
The «Hommage to a Place» category recognises locations and projects that not only preserve historical heritage but also reintegrate it into contemporary life through new cultural functions, exhibitions, museum programmes, and engagement with the urban environment.
Both award-winning projects are united by their ability to work with heritage in a way that keeps it a part of contemporary life.
VDNKh, represented today by Elena Zhuk, the First Deputy General Director, merges historical scale with a contemporary museum programme. The Central Pavilion hosts the «Art of the Stage» exhibition, created by 32 museums from 12 Russian cities. This space, with its own significant history, continues to thrive in the present and speaks about theatre through the language of a museum.
«Immense gratitude to the organisers for recognising and highly rating our exhibition that has just opened at VDNKh, featuring leading museums of the country – the State Russian Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, and museums from Ryazan, Cheboksary, Kursk, and many others,» commented Elena Zhuk from the stage. «This exhibition is a unique homage to theatre and theatrical art through academic art. Thank you so much for this recognition.»
The second laureate in the «Homage to Place» category was the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts, with the museum’s award received by its director, Tatyana Rybkina. The museum’s collection holds over a quarter of a million works, through which the country’s history is revealed in materials, craftsmanship, technology, and the human touch.
«We are delighted that the Museum of Decorative Arts, whose collections might once have been perceived merely as part of the interior of many centuries, has today found its place in the city and in Russia. Our works by Mukhina, Vrubel, and our exhibitions of contemporary decorative crafts continue to bring joy to everyone. It’s very pleasing that we have been noticed and that we resonate. Thank you to the organisers and the magazine!» Tatiana Rybkina expressed her gratitude during the award ceremony.
«Ommage. Watch Russia» is a new award from Watch Russia magazine that recognises individuals, places, and initiatives shaping the cultural milieu of contemporary Russia, preserving the valuable while simultaneously fostering its development.
In October, the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre presented a two-act ballet «The Cherry Orchard,» based on the play by Anton Chekhov.
From 23 to 28 October, Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra will present all 15 symphonies by Dmitri Shostakovich at the new Shanghai Opera House, followed by bringing Verdi’s «Aida» to China, which will be shown in Asia for the first time.
The foundation of the new public library is the book collection of the distinguished Russian art historian Dmitry Sarabianov.
