Arctic history didn’t freeze the deputies’ enthusiasm about the exposition
Museum was warmly greeted in the State Duma. Arctic history didn’t freeze the deputies’ enthusiasm about the exposition devoted to the 70th anniversary of Papanin’s research station and heroic polar flights of Chkalov and Gromov. The museum is organized and promoted by private company, which treats it as its duty and devotion. The museum will be mobile: 18 regions expressed the desire to exhibit it in their cities.
On the day of the museum’s presentation in the State Duma, MVK representatives presented flowers to all the women working in the Russian Parliament and invited them to visit the exposition.
It is for the second time that MVK organizes the exhibition at the State Duma of Russia. The first exhibition was devoted to Chkalov’s flight through the whole country. The present exposition is patriotic as well. It marks the 70th anniversary of Papanin’s expedition. “I was acquainted with Papanin, Shirshov and Krenkel. They were meeting me on my return from “NP-19”, said Artur Chilingarov, the State Duma Deputy Chairman, at the opening ceremony. “This year which was proclaimed the International Polar Year, we continue polar research. I was glad to see the faces of the legendary researchers at this exhibition. It is important that MVK put its heart and soul into this museum”.
The museum has successfully worked at two large exhibitions; it was visited by the representatives of furniture and machine-building industries. Now the museum contains more 300 exhibit items, many of them are exhibited for the first time. The families of Schmidt, Papanin and Vodopyanov granted the papaninities’ personal belongings to the museum: gramophone, logbook, coatee, high fur boots and the ice-floe model. The materials for the museum were granted by the project’s partners: some Russian museums; Polar Explorers Society and Metelitsa Female Expeditions Team.
“When creating the museum we found something new every time. We started with making the exact copy of Papanin’s tent and met a lot of people who used to know the famous papaninities. Now we see the museum that has united the expositions of seven Russian museums and private collections. It reminds about the history of Russia and is becoming nation-wide”, told Andrei Lapshin, the President of MVK.
Alexey Shaburov, the author of the project and Director General of MVK International Exhibition Company, thanked his partner, Andrey Lapshin, the President of MVK, and the whole MVK team for supporting his idea and bringing the project to life.
Vladimir Schmidt, the son of famous polar explorer Otto Schmidt noted “This museum emphasizes the importance of polar traditions. It is a worthy tribute to distinguished polar explorers. And it is a good opportunity to tell the youth about Russian heroic past”.
Vladimir Schmidt, the son of famous polar explorer Otto Schmidt noted “This museum emphasizes the importance of polar traditions. It is a worthy tribute to distinguished polar explorers. And it is a good opportunity to tell the youth about Russian heroic past”.
“The display at the State Duma is the most important event in our project”, noted Alexey Shaburov. “Each deputy is the representative of some Russian region. We want all the citizens of Russia see the achievements of Russian and Soviet polar explorers”, added Alexey Shaburov.
The centerpiece of the display is formed by two tents – an exact copy of Papanin’s tent and a modern one in Russian national colours. In April these tents were exhibited at the North Pole. The first polar exhibition in the world took place at the North Pole. The flags of Russia and MVK were erected at the North Pole and the exhibition was opened. A cellist Denis Shapovalov, Rostropovich’s student, was the first among the musicians to play near the North Pole target.
“Theoretically, anyone can go to the North Pole. But we have a different purpose: to create a new system of relations, new aim, synthesize the museum. Having united businessmen, my colleagues and employees into one team we created the museum that unites seven Russian museums and all Russians and shows the strength of our country. The museum is becoming more popular and significant. It has already worked at the largest exhibitions. The representatives of furniture and engineering industries visited it and were impressed. The museum is being discussed. Mike Hewitt from England sent us Krenkel’s letter which you can see at our site. Vladimir Schmidt gave us his father’s polar notes and calculations. The family of F. Zuev brought a hip of grandfather’s photos; he was working with Papanin and built a polar winter hut. The museum was created for people and we get good feedbacks from people. Common people send us unique exhibits and the museum is becoming truly national. It is no longer a museum but it is our life. The museum will be mobile and we will tour Russia. Russians will be able to rediscover the pages of history they have forgotten, that is the mission of our project”, said Alexey Shaburov.
Moscow is the first city in the museum’s tour. During a year it will tour Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Saint-Petersbourg and Kazan. We are planning to exhibit it in France and Germany. We expect over 1,5 million people.
“I am proud of MVK launching such excellent projects that no one did before. And my grandfather, parents and children are proud too. The project is supported by my team and company, approved by my friends and colleagues”, emphasized Shaburov. “Nowadays we mustn’t forget our history. If we want to live in a new country in future we shouldn’t “sail down the river”. New epoch has come and it needs new feats and new ideas”.
*Museum Role of History in Life and Business will work in the State Duma of Russia on June 13-15.
Natalia Yurchenko
Press-Secretary of MVK Director General