Events and Exhibitions | Nicholas II

New Fabergé exhibition opens in Vladivostock

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 5th September 2024, a new exhibition The Age of Fabergé. The Golden Age of Russian Jewelry Art opened at the Arseniev Museum-Reserve of the History of the Far East, situated in Vladivostock. The exhibition is a joint project with the State Armoury Chamber Museum of the Moscow Kremlin.

Grandiose in terms of the number of valuable exhibits from the funds of the Moscow Kremlin Museums, the exhibition showcases about 300 items, including three Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II for his wife Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, for Easter in 1908, 1913 and 1916 respectively.

The Imperial Easter Eggs held in the Moscow Kremlin Museums are only ten Imperial Fabergé eggs that were not sold by the Bolsheviks in the 1920s, and are now held in the funds of the State Armoury Chamber Museum of the Moscow Kremlin. The Armoury Museum will be moving to a massive new museum complex, located on Red Square in 2024.

The famous Imperial Easter Eggs with intricate surprises, commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II, occupy a central place at the exhibition: the Alexander Palace Egg, gifted to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (Easter 1908) ; the Romanov Tercentenary Egg, gifted to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (Easter 1913); and the Steel Military Egg, gifted to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (Easter 1916).

PHOTO: the Alexander Palace Egg (1908). Moscow Kremlin Museums

PHOTO: the Romanov Tercentenary egg (1913). Moscow Kremlin Museums

PHOTO: the Steel Military Egg (1916). Moscow Kremlin Museums

The exhibition showcases about 300 items, including masterpieces of the famous Russian firm of Carl Fabergé (1846-1920) as well as works of his contemporaries, including Suppliers of the Imperial Court I. Khlebnikov, P. Ovchinnikov, the Grachev brothers, F. Kechli, as well as other firms, factories, workshops and artels. The three Imperial Easter Eggs on display, were created by the chief jeweler of the Fabergé firm, Henrik Wigström (1862-1923).

In addition to exclusive and commissioned works, are gifts from the Guards to their august chiefs, seals with the coats of arms of members of the Romanov family, stone-cutting products of the Ekaterinburg Imperial Lapidary Factory bearing Imperial monograms, and precious church utensils for the Marfo-Mariinsky (Martha and Mary) Convent in Moscow, the abbess of which was Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna (1864-1918).

The Age of Fabergé. The Golden Age of Russian Jewelry Art exhibition runs until 12th January 2025 at the Arseniev Museum-Reserve of the History of the Far East in Vladivostock.

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PHOTO: the Arseniev Museum-Reserve of the History of the Far East, situated in Vladivostock

The memorial house was built at the beginning of the 20th century. Vladimir Klavdievich Arsenyev (1872-1930) moved into apartment number 4 on the second floor in June 1929. He was a famous Russian traveler, geographer, ethnographer, local historian, writer, and explorer who made a significant contribution to the development of the Far East.

Imperial Yachts exhibition opens in Kaliningrad

Posted on August 31, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 31st August 2024, a new exhibition The Imperial Yachts opened at the Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad. The exhibit is joint project with the Peterhof State Museum. The exhibition explores the history of the Imperial Yachts, and their role in the life of the Russian Imperial Court, from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.

The Russian Imperial Yachts fell under the administration of the Naval Guards, founded in 1710, during the reign of Peter the Great. The Naval Guards conducted their service on the Imperial Yachts, and carried out regularl inspections of the vessels. In 1912, the Naval Guards also included Emperor Nicholas II, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Tsesatevich Alexei Nikolaevich, Grand Dukes Alexander and Nikolai Mikhailovich, Kirill Vladimirovich, Konstantin and Dmitri Konstantinovich.

During the 18th century, the Baltic Fleet already had more than 30 court and admiralty yachts. Some of them, for example, the yacht Happiness, impressed with their rich exterior décor and luxurious interior decoration. Over time, the design and appearance of Imperial Yachts change significantly. In the middle of the 19th century, during the reign of Emperors Nicholas I and Alexander II, elegant high-speed ships appeared, designed for better seaworthiness and increased comfort. Their interior decoration close ly resembled that of “floating palaces”.

The exhibition introduces visitors to the construction and operation of the Shtandart / Standart, the favourite Imperial Yacht of Emperor Nicholas II. The Shtandart / Standart, was the largest ocean-going yacht in the world, with the most advanced engineering and naval technology of it’s time. Other Imperial Yachts included the Livadia, Tsarevna, Alexandria, Derzhava and Polar Star – the personal yacht of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. Both the Shtandart / Standart and the Polar Star had their own on-board chapels, in which members of the Imperial Family could attend services and pray while at sea.

The exhibition features more than 100 items, including maritime paintings and graphic works, a unique collection of services – porcelain and glassware – made for the Imperial Yachts, as well as navigation and other maritime items used on board. The exhibition is further complemented by scale models of the Imperial Yachts, uniforms, clothing and personal items of members of the Imperial Family, books and photographs which reflect life on board these luxurious vessels and their respective sea voyages.

The Imperial Yachts exhibition runs until 25th November 2024 at the Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad.

Nicholas II’s uniforms on display in Tula

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 21st August 2024, a new exhibition The Forgotten War opened in Tula. The exhibition is dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. The venue for the exhibit is the Tula branch of the State Historical Museum,

The exhibition is a joint project of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum in Pushkin and the State Historical Museum in Moscow, showcasing about 200 items from the collections of the two museums.

Of particular interest to visitors will be uniforms and portraits of Emperor Nicholas II and his son Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, on loan from the Sovereign’s Military [aka Military] Chamber in Tsarskoye Selo. Among the uniforms of Nicholas II is the Tsar’s cherkeska and beshmet of His Imperial Majesty’s Own Escort and pelisse of His Majestey’s Life-Guards Hussar Regiment. Other items on display include WWI vintage news reels, weapons, documents, photographs, awards and a tactile model of the Military Chamber.

The exhibition is divided into four sections: The War Image, The History of the Sovereign’s Military Chamber, The Imperial Family during WWI, and The St George’s Chevaliers Portraits.

The exhibition is designed to draw attention to the preservation of the historical memory of the military conflict, which for Russia has long been the “Forgotten War”. Recall that during the Soviet years, Russia’s contribution and sacrifices made during the First World War were neither discussed or commemorated. In destroying the tsars, the Bolshevik revolutionaries denounced the Great War as “imperialist”, thus robbing it of its potential for a popular legacy. It was not until 1st August 2013 that Russia marked Russian Soldiers’ World War I Remembrance Day for the first time.

The collections of the Sovereign’s Military Chamber – which includes the State Historical Museum on the First World War – are both part of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum. The Sovereign’s Military Chamber was founded in May 1913.

Following the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, it was decided to create a war museum, which included a gallery of portraits of the Knights of St. George among other exhibits. Some of the museum’s employees were sent to the Front. Subsequently, they returned with “trophies” which were added to the museum’s funds. Additional items were transferred from other museums and private collections, as well as items donated by the families of those who particpated in the Great War.

The dedicated employees of the Sovereign’s Military Chamber and the Historical Museum carefully preserved their collections even during the Soviet years. It is thanks to their efforts that this priceless collection of Russian World War One artifacts has been preserved to the present day.

The exhibition The Forgotten War. The Military Chamber and the Historical Museum: Keepers of Memory runs until 21st October 2024, at the Historical Museum, which is housed in the the former mansion (above photo) of the merchant Belolipetsky family in Tula, located 193 kilometers (120 mi) south of Moscow.

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PHOTO: the Sovereign’s Military Chamber – which includes the State Historical Museum on the First World War – are both part of the Tsarskoye Selo Museum

PHOTO: Emperor Nicholas II’s uniforms on display in the Sovereign’s Military [aka Military] Chamber in Tsarskoye Selo. The uniforms were previously on display in the Alexander Palace, before the private apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna were recreated in the eastern wing of the palace between 2015 and 2021.

Tsesarevich Alexei exhibition opens in Moscow

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

Clicke HERE to watch a VIDEO – Duration: 2 mins., 30 secs.

On 12th August 2024, a new exhibition dedicated to Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich opened at the Museum of Military Uniforms in Moscow. The exhibition is timed to the 120th anniversary of his birth on 12th August (O.S. 30th July) 1904.

The exhibition “If one day I became Tsar…” was organized by the Russian Military Historical Society, the The Museum of Education (Moscow) and the State Archive of the Russian Federation (GARF), as well as from private collections..

Visitors to the exhibition will have an opportunity to see authentic items which belonged to Alexei Nikolaevich, including toys, drawings, and his personal belongings. In addition are photographs and documents. Of particular note are a series of watercolours depicting Alexei’s rooms in the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

The opening ceremony was attended by Andrei Kokhan, Deputy Executive Director of the History of the Fatherland Foundation:

“120 years ago, an heir was born in the Imperial Family. His birth marked a new era, which was to be happy for the Russian people. However, his death, which coincided with one of the darkest and most terrible events of our Fatherland, unfortunately extinguished these hopes and dreams,” said Kokhan.

“For many decades, the history of the Imperial Family was not considered in Russian historiography. It was, by and large, forgotten. Shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, however, Russians took a keen interest in their past, the life and reign of Russia’s last Tsar and his family in particular. The Romanov archives, which were sealed during the Soviet years, revealed documents and photographs which helped reshape Russia’s history. The canonization of the Tsar and his family by the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000, helped present the lives of the Imperial Family in a whole new light. Today, Nicholas II and his family are the subjects of countless books, in addition to exhibitions, documentaries, films and conferences, among other events. I am sure that the exhibition opening today will make a great contribution to the study and rethinking of the events of late 19th to early 20th century Russian history,” he added.

The exhibition explores the short but important life about the boy whom everyone adored. Alexei combined unique qualities, none of which any of the Romanov grand dukes could boast of. “When I am Tsar, there will be no more poor and unfortunate! I want everyone to be happy,” he often repeated. Those who knew him personally were sure that with the Tsesarevich Alexei’s ascension to the throne, that the golden age of the Russian Empire would begin. Sadly, it was not to be.

The exhibition “If one day I became Tsar…” opens to the public on 13th August 2024 and runs until 16th February 2025, at the Museum of Military Uniforms in Moscow.

Update on the next Nicholas II Conference

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

I continue to receive emails and messages from people enquiring about another Nicholas II Conference. First of all, I would like to say how grateful I am for the interest and support shown for this event. In answer to all these queries, I can say that YES!, I am intend planning on organizing and hosting a second conference. I can also confirm that several discussions on the proposed event have already taken place.

Once this dreadful war is over, I have every intention of hosting a 2nd International Nicholas II Conference, which will most likely be held in the UK.

As some of you may recall, my initial plan to host the conference in May 2021 at the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

My second attempt to host the conference in September 2023 at St. John’s Orthodox Church in Colchester, England was also cancelled, due to the outbreak of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

So, will I have better luck the third time?

The number of people who have followed my work, since the 1st conference in October 2018, has grown substantially, especially in the UK, therefore, I am anticipating an even larger number of attendees at the next conference.

Stay tuned for further updates on dates, venue, speakers, topics, and much more.

PHOTO: this is the first of two 6-ft. banners, that I have
designed for the 2nd International Nicholas II Conference

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1st International Nicholas II Conference
St. John’s Orthodox Church, Colchcester, England
27th October 2018

PHOTO: researcher and author Paul Gilbert presenting one of his two lectures on Nicholas II, at St. John’s Orthodox Church in Colchester, England. 27th October 2018

The 1st International Nicholas II Conference was timed to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Nicholas II in 1868, and the 100th anniversary of his death and martyrdom in 1918.

More than 100 people from nearly a dozen countries attended the event, which featured 5 speakers, who presented 7 lectures on the life and reign of Russia’s last Tsar, including Paul Gilbert, Archpriest Andrew Philips (ROCOR), Nikolai Krasnov, authors Frances Welch and Marilyn Swezey presented seven papers on Nicholas II.

In addition, the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Romanov Society UK provided a small exhibit, which generated much interest among those attending. Two stalls were set up during the conference, which offer an interesting selection of new book titles for sale. A light lunch was provided for those attending.

Click HERE to read more about the 1st International Nicholas II Conference in Colchester, England, which includes photos from the event.

Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich Exhibition opens in Livadia Palace

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 1st August 2024, a new exhibition dedicated to Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich (1904-1918) opened at Livadia Palace in Crimea. The exhibition simply titled “Наследник / Heir” is timed to the 120th anniversary of the birth of Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, who was born on 12th (O.S. 30th July) August 1904.

The grand opening of the exhibition on 1st August was attended by those who received invitions and to members of the press. The exhibit opened to visitors the following day, in the Music Room, located on the second floor of the palace.

Visitors to the exhbition will see authentic items from Tsesarevich Alexei’s rooms, and which are now in the collection of the Livadia State Palace-Museum. Among these items are religious paintings and sketches, including a sketch entitled “Bayan” by the famous Russian artist Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov (one of Nicholas II’s favourite artists), and “The Tsar’s Family in Livadia” a watercolour by Elena Samokish-Sudkovskaya, as well as pieces of furniture, photographs, etc.

The exhibition explores Alexei’s short life [he was murdered just weeks before his 14th birthday], the long-awaited heir to the Russian throne, and beloved son of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The exhibition looks at his hobbies, the close ties he shared with his parents, sisters and tutors, the piety of the family, and the happy times Alexei spent in Livadia. In addition, the exhibit looks at the First World War and Alexei’s visits and stays with the Tsar at Mogilev. In the last part of the exhibition, visitors will see rare artifacts associated with the tragic death of the Imperial Family in Ekaterinburg in July 1918.

The exhibition will be complemented by authentic items from the collection of the Yalta Historical and Literary Museum, the archive of the Livadia Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross as well as from private collections.

The exhibition “Наследник / Heir” is open to visitors in the Music Room of the Livadia Palace, from 2nd August to 19th August 2024.

CLICK on the IMAGE above to watch the VIDEO. Duration: 2 mins., 47 secs.

NOTE: the video is in Russian only, however, you can watch an English language version by
clicking on the Closed Captioning [CC] button and adjusting Google Translate to English. ENJOY!

Visitors to the museum will see authentic items from the museum’s funds, once located in the rooms of the Tsarevich and other living rooms of the palace. Among them are engravings on religious subjects, the engraving “Bayan” from the painting by Viktor Vasnetsov, Elena Samokish-Sudkovskaya’s watercolor “The Royal Family in Livadia”, pieces of furniture, etc.

The exhibition will show the short life of the heir to the Russian throne, the most long-awaited child in the family of the last emperor – his hobbies, close ties with loved ones, the spiritual world of the family, happy times spent in Livadia. One of the topics will be the difficult period of the First World War and staying with the Tsar at headquarters. Also, visitors to the museum will see the rarest artifacts associated with the tragic death of the royal family in Yekaterinburg in 1918.

The opening of the exhibition “The Heir” will take place on August 1 at 12:00 in the Music Salon of the Livadia Palace. Admission by invitation.

The exhibition will be available to visitors from August 2 to August 19, 2024.

Mobile exhibit dedicated to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna opens in Ekaterinburg

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 15th July 2024, a mobile exhibition dedicated to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna opened at the Tsarsky Cultural and Educational Center, which is situated in the Patriarchal Compound of the Church on the Blood in Ekaterinburg.

The exhibit titled “I feel like the mother of this country…” The Christian Feat of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearer Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, was organized by the Elizabeth-Sergius Educational Society Foundation (ESPO), in cooperation with the Institute of World History of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

For the first time, the exhibit gives a detailed story about the large-scale charitable activities of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, which include her participation in the establishment and work of the Guardianship of the Houses of Industry; the School of Nannies in Tsarskoye Selo; the development of medical institutions specializing in pediatric medicine, orthopedics, surgery and women’s health; as well as her feat of mercy during the First World War; her patronage of science, medicine; and the education of her children.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition in Ekaterinburg was attended by Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Pavel Krekov, Chairman of the Elizabeth-Sergius Educational Society Foundation (ESPO) Anna Gromova and Metropolitan of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye Evgeny.

The travelling exhibition was created in 2022, the year marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. For the past two years, the exhibition has been presented in cities and towns across Russia.

In an interview with journalists, Anna Gromova, Head of the ESPO Foundation, said that while the exhibition had been traveling around Russia, that it arouses great interest, since the theme of the exhibition reveals unknown facets of the charitable and selfless activities of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Pavel Krekov, Deputy Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region, emphasized the extreme relevance of the exhibition, especially during this years Tsar’s Days events in the Ural capital.

Already on the first day of its work, the exhibition of the ESPO Foundation “I Feel Like the Mother of This Country…” The Christian Feat of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearer Empress Alexandra Feodorovna” was met with great interest by the residents and visitors, who arrived in the Ural capital for Tsar’s Days. Specialists of the ESPO Foundation have prepared a leaflet and a guide to the exhibition.

The sakkos from the coronation of Nicholas II on display in Russia for the first time

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

A new exhibition Russian Masters. Artistic Traditions and Ideals has opened at the State Museum of the History of Religion in St. Petersburg. The exhibition presents objects of the Orthodox liturgy and reveals their symbolic meaning, including vestments, censers, lampadas, crosses, icons in luxurious casings, and items of Russian silversmithing of the 19th-early 20th centuries.

Among the 100 items on display is an episcopal liturgical vestment – sakkos – which was made for the Orthodox clergy who participated in the Holy Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II, held in Moscow on 27th May (O.S. 14th) May 1896. It is made of a rich brocade fabric and intricately decorated with traditional Russian eagles. The sakkos is being exhibited for the very first time.

The exhibition Russian Masters. Artistic Traditions and Ideals runs until 25th January 2025.

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The sakkos is a vestment worn by Orthodox bishops instead of the priest’s phelonion. The bishop wears the sakkos when he celebrates the Divine Liturgy and other services when called out by the rubrics.

Photo exhibit dedicated to the Imperial Family opens in Belgrade

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 14th June 2024, a small photo exhibition dedicated to Emperor Nicholas II and his family opened in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. The exhibition Christian Love Is Stronger Than Death features 100 vintage black and white photographs.

The exhibition project was created with the desire and goal of introducing the personalities and deeds of the last Russian Tsar and his family to the Serbian people. The exhibition’s organizers hope to awaken the memory of the Imperial Family, get to know more closely about the life and sacrificial service of the last Russian Tsar, his wife and their five children. In doing so, the organizers made an effort in selecting photos which reflect the beauty of the Imperial Family, their everyday life and service for the benefit of the Fatherland and its people.

The exhibition consists of black-and-white photographs from historical archives and personal albums of the Imperial Family. The exhibition is thematically divided into three sections. The first section features photos of Nicholas II and his family, taking part in events, such as parades and processions, etc. This section of photos reflect all the beauty of the Slavic character, and also provides insight into the fashion and style of clothing from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The second second section features photographs from the personal albums of the Imperial Family, all of whom were avid amateur photographers. It is well known that Nicholas II was especially fond of photography. Many of these images are informal and taken spontaneous, often capturing their subject in natural settings, carefree, laughing and enjoying their close knit family time. In these photographs, visitors will see members of the Imperial Family walking and resting in the Alexander Park at Tsarskoye Selo or Livadia, the August children playing games, taking part in their favourite outdoor activities, etc. These photos are considered rare, only because they were taken by family members and never intended for public display.

The third and last section of the exhibition features photos of military themes. They depict the Emperor blessing his troops before going to war, trying out new weapons used by his army, presenting orders and medals, and introducing his son and heir to the secrets of warfare.

This section also includes photos of the Empress and her four daughters engaged in humanitarian work. They visited the wounded, helped sick soldiers with deeds and kind words. From their diaries, it is known that they assisted even in the most difficult operations. Their acts of mercy are documented while nursing soldiers.

The collection of photographs of the Imperial Family was provided by Hieromonk Ignatius (Shestakov), a brother of the Sreten Monastery in Moscow, who is also one of the exhibitions organizers.

The Christian Love Is Stronger Than Death exhibition runs from 14th to 20th June 2024 at at 17 Kralja Milana Street (across from Belgradeanka) in the Serbian capital.

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*As I have noted in similiar posts, I support any initiative – big or small – to help keep the memory of Nicholas II and his family alive in post-Soviet Russia – PG

‘The Romanov Family Album’ exhibition opens in the Moscow District

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

On 19th May 2024 – the day marking the 156th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Nicholas II – a new exhibition The Romanov Family Album, opened in the House of Scientists in Pushchino, a town in the Moscow region.

The highlight of the exhibition is a group of seven portraits of the Imperial Family, by the contemporary Russian artist and Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts Evgeny Schaeffer [b. 1954], who now lives in Germany.

According to Schaefer, “The Romanovs. Family Album exhibition, is not just a collection of paintings and photographs, it is an attempt to comprehend the tragic story of the murder of the the Tsar and his family in Ekaterinburg in 1918. The exhibition, is also an opportunity to rethink history through the prism of modern research and aesthetics”.

PHOTOS: Evgeny Schaeffer’s portraits of the Imperial Family are on display in the exhibition (above); detail of his portrait of Emperor Nicholas II (below)

Evgeny Schaeffer recreates history, transfers it to a modern context, inviting those attending the exhibition to think about the eternal questions of justice, power and fate.

Of particulate importance, is that the artist not only depicts the tragic events, but also immerses the viewer in deep reflection on the role of history in our lives, on how the past affects the present and the future.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by the director of the Department of Culture of the Russian Nobility Assembly Alexander Schaeffer, members of the clergy, parishioners of the Pushchino Church, among others. A cleric of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Pushchino, Sergiy Girilovich, served a moleben [supplication prayer service] to the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers.

The Romanov Family Album exhibition runs until 31st May 2024, at the House of Scientists in Pushchino. Admission is FREE.

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*As I have noted in similiar posts, I support any initiative – big or small – to help keep the memory of Nicholas II and his family alive in post-Soviet Russia – PG