Tuva - in flight of Time

President of the Russian Geographical Society Sergei Shoigu

With the support of the Russian Geographical Society a unique exhibition «Tuva - in flight of Time» has opened in the All-Russian Decorative - Applied and Folk Art Museum in Moscow. This is the first large-scale project that demonstrates cultural heritage and original art of the country. The exhibition features rare exhibits on the art and culture of Tuva. For the first time since 1944 public will be able to see such a rich collection of rarities.

 

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President of the Russian Geographical Society Sergei Shoigu at the opening ceremony
President of the Russian Geographical Society Sergei Shoigu at the opening ceremony

 

Exhibition was opened by President of the Russian Geographical Society, Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu.

«One hundred years seems to be a lot, but in the flight of time one hundred years is an incredibly short period - Shoigu said. - This year it turns one hundred years since Russia and Tuva got together, one hundred years since Kyzyl - the capital of the republic - was established, 70 years since Tuva became part of the USSR <...> Tuva - is a republic, which never doubted with whom to be, it was always with Russia».

Center of Asia, Tuva is a region that has preserved thousands of years of tradition, region full of mysteries and treasures. Russian Ethnographic Museum, Kunstkamera, Museum of Oriental Arts, Institute of Material Culture, RAS and Dasha Namdakova’s workshop provided artifacts which  helped the visitors of the exhibition reveal the mystery and discover the amazing culture of the Republic. Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation it became possible to bring these unique works together.

«Tuva has an amazing culture, famous throat singing, Buddhism, shamans, fascinating history, - said Minister of Culture of Russia Vladimir Medinsky. - Main objective of this exhibition - to get people who come here excited, so they would want to go to Tuva. I am sure that the experience will be unforgettable. For me it is absolutely clear where I will spend my next vacation. Many thanks to the Russian Geographical Society for the excellent organization. I invite everyone to the exhibition».

Until the middle of the IX century, the territory of Tuva was part of Turks and Uighur kaganates; at the beginning of the XIII century, these lands were conquered by the Tatar-Mongols, in the XVIII century - by the Manchus. In 1912 after the overthrow of the Manchu yoke Uriankhai region, then known as Tuva, was adopted under the protectorate of Russia (1914). In 1921 Tuva was proclaimed the People's Republic, and in 1944 entered the USSR as an autonomous oblast (RSFSR). In 1961 it was transformed into the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In October 1991 it received an official name - the Republic of Tuva. According to the Constitution of the Republic, names Tyva and Tuva are equivalent.

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Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko
Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko

«It is really unique and distinctive nation with rich history, traditions, - said Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko. - It is noteworthy that the exhibition is held in the centenary year of accession of Tuva in Russia and the Year of Culture. The All-Russian Decorative - Applied and Folk Art Museum, with active support of the Russian Geographical Society and the Ministry of Culture made ​​a lovely gift to Muscovites, guests of our capital. We poorly know our country, how each region is interesting and rich in history and culture. "

Director of the All-Russian Decorative - Applied and Folk Art Museum Elena Titova explained that the exhibition "Tuva - in flight of Time" is organized on the principle of natural circulation - morning followed by day, then evening comes, which displaced by night. The exposition presents the objects surrounding the Tuvan throughout life: household articles, design elements of yurts, metal and stone, smoking and equestrian facilities, weapons, items of clothing and hats, musical instruments, ceremonial objects.

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Director of the All-Russian Decorative - Applied and Folk Art Museum Elena Titova
Director of the All-Russian Decorative - Applied and Folk Art Museum Elena Titova

 "Our exhibition is about the beauty of the surrounding objects collected by human hands, created by Tuvinians and representing tremendous immemorial tradition", - said director of the All-Russian Museum of Decorative - Applied and Folk Art Elena Titova.

The exhibition will be open for the public from September 16 to November 30, 2014. These days, there will be concerts of famous masters of Tuvan throat singing, lectures on the history of the republic, as well as round tables.

Photo: Ksenia Truschelёva, Tatiana Nefedova