The world largest project dedicated to the art of fancy lettering - the III International Exhibition of Calligraphy successfully completed in Novgorod. The exposition was held on September 10-12 in a mobile pavilion constructed in the historic city centre near the Kremlin walls in Yaroslav's Court. A unique feature of the project is that the event was organized by the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, so first time in the world a global traveling exhibitions current member of the Union of Museums (ICOM) took place.
For three days more than 37 000 people visited the exhibition, which is an absolute record for the exhibition of calligraphy. In 2008 an exhibition in St. Petersburg was attended by 17 000 people, and in 2009 in Moscow - more than 30 000 people.
19 trucks with the exhibition equipment and exhibits were sent In Velikiy Novgorod from Moscow. 136 tons of cargo were delivered in the city in total. A 91-manned team of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy and the International Exhibition Company MVK came from Moscow.
It was built on 2000 square metres with 1,400 square metres of these were given for the exposition, 100 square metres for the presentation pavilion and ticket offices, 500 square metres for the fast-food tent.
46 master classes were held during 4 days of the Exhibition (including the day of the presentation on September the 9th). 35 renowned calligraphers have participated in the project in total. Novgorod saw more than 300 exhibits, including those listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
A wakeboarding tournament for WakeWorld Russia Cup took place in the framework of the Exhibition where best professional riders from Russia, Europe and Asia had their contest. A "Museum Night” project also took place for the first time during the Exhibition of Calligraphy in liaison with the Novgorod State United Museum-Reserve.
Invaluable logistical support for the exhibition was executed by the Novgorod Region Administration, Administration of Veliky Novgorod, Committee on Culture, Tourism and archives of the Novgorod region.
III International Exhibition of Calligraphy has become the last project of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy in the territory of Russia. Then the project goes on a world tour. The exhibition will be presented in Paris in 2011.
Ornamental secrets by Borghild Telnes
Bas Vlam has told of a hand-made miniature book
Ancient Russian script nowadays by Nina Kozubova
Calligraphy written in chalk on the board
Artem Lebedev shows how to make a postcard
Eshida Eshiko is speaking of the history of hieroglyphic calligraphy
A calligraphic performance by Petr Chobitko and his apprentices
Valery Gergiev, General director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre
has visited the exhibition just before closing
Inspired by the atmosphere of the Exhibition
