Report of the Osipov-Fedorov Dynasty Exhibition at the Russian Cultural Centre, November 2002

Maria Fedorov and her son Daniil arrived in Washington DC on Thursday, Oct. 31^st  with Roberta Gran, just in time to see that the RCC had framed all of the wonderful paintings that they had brought from Russia the previous week. Maria’s painting; “The Eternal Stage” was framed in a massive gold frame and on display in the large salon to the left of the entrance on a huge gold easel. Friday was spent arranging all of the painting which were taken from Roberta’s gallery in Woodstock and making labels.

The opening reception took place at 7:00 pm on Friday November 1^st. It was a magnificent affair. The rooms are very large and elegant, in keeping with the nobility and grace of the Russian Cultural Centre itself, and are a perfect setting for an exhibition of the finest quality. The director, Natalia Batova, said that it was extremely well attended and very successful by all accounts. There were so many people that it was difficult to really view the paintings. There was a lot of interest in the family’s history and works, and this interest spilled over into later days.

A few of the events which took place following the opening on other days were a dinner with Victor Ciardello, a finance and economic director at the Pentagon who has recently been elected Commissioner for the Arts in Alexandria, Virginia; a visit and invitations by the Hillwood Museum, a visit and invitations by the Russian Ambassador to the US, and visits by several prominent galleries and museums. Maria and Daniil will be departing for Moscow on November 15^th, and Roberta will be carrying their works which will remain in the US at her gallery again beginning on November 21. Maria and Daniil will be returning to the US in 2003, and Roberta will be in charge of arranging their schedule for their next visit.

Roberta Gran

One of the more unusual parts of eastern Russia is the small region known as Tuva. Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it was called the Tuvinskaya ASSR. Tuva is adjacent to Mongolia, and there are many cultural similarities between Tuvans and Mongolians. In the past, Tuva was at various times controlled by China and at other times by Russia. While under Chinese rule, Tuva was commonly known as Urianghai or Uriankhai. A Mixed Claims Commission confirmed Tuva's status (at that time) as an independent country. During the late 1920s and the 1930s, Tuva (then known as Tannu Tuva) was nominally indepoendent, under Soviet protection. It later was absorbed into the Soviet Union. During the period of quasi-independence, Tuva issued interesting triangular and diamond-shaped postage stamps (primarily for stamp collectors rather than the Tuvan postal system). The stamps showed picturesque scenes of camels, tents, archers, and horsemen. On these stamps, the name of the country is generally spelled simply as "Touva." The capital of Tuva, Kyzyl, is considered by some to be the geographical center of Asia, and it contains a large monument celebrating this noteworthy geographical status. Tuva has both freshwater and saltwater lakes, and there are springs which are said to have medicinal qualities. The whortleberries that are common in Tuva are also said to be medicinal. Tuva has some unusual animals, including Mongolian desert antelopes, red wolves, and a rare species of bobcat. It is well-known as a source of sable, ermine, and fox pelts of particularly high quality.

Not much has been written in English about Tuva, with the exception of the book "Tuva or Bust" by Ralph Leighton.  Leighton is the founder of "Friends of Tuva," which has a website. Leighton's book includes a record with songs of Tuvan throat-singers. Professor Ted Levin of Dartmouth College has done extensive work with Tuvan throat-singers and other Central Asian musicians, and has written about his experiences in a book entitled "The Hundred Thousand Fools of God." Among the more interesting Russian-language books on Tuva are the four-volume set entitled "Western Mongolia and the Uriankhai Country" published in the 1920s by the great anthropologist G.E. Grumm-Grzhimailo, the numerous books about Tuvan ethnography written by Sevyan I. Vainshtein, and the two-volume set "History of Tuva" (which uses Communist-oriented historical interpretation) published in Moscow in 1964.  /Steve Upton

IMPORTANT NOTICE

There will be a Russian Exhibition at the Windham Senior Center. Please inform everyone you can. All proceeds will go to the building of the Suzdal House of Friendship. Exhibition will start Friday the 20^th of Dec .in the evening 6:00 to 9:00 and Saturday 21^st & Sunday 22^nd from 10:00 to 7:00.

The Senior Center is at 1 North Lowell Road across from the Windham Town Offices. If you need directions call Barbara Coish at (603) 898-9520.

Suzdal, Russia