"Assembly point" and the fascinating world of theatre professions: Head of Obraztsov Theatre Museum on the "Legacy. Theatre. The Greats" exposition
The "Legacy. Theatre. The Greats" exposition opened at the National Centre RUSSIA on 28 July. For Galina Shirokova, Head of the Museum of the S. V. Obraztsov State Academic Central Puppet Theatre, the project's greatest achievement is the sense of involvement it gives visitors, allowing them to look behind the scenes and into the very heart of the theatrical world — the place where every performance begins.
"The very words "theatre workers" in the title "Union of Theatre Workers", whose 150th anniversary this exposition celebrates, brings together all the professions that exist in the theatre. What I particularly appreciate is that the exposition creates a genuine sense of involvement. When you visit a performance, you come not as a guest of the actors only — you become a guest of the entire theatre — of all the people whose hands and talent bring it to life. And here, everyone can feel it very clearly. It is especially important that today's audiences, and young people in particular, have the opportunity to experience this," said Galina Shirokova.
According to her, the exposition succeeds because it combines modern interactive displays with profound respect for history. One of the most striking examples of this connection between generations is the legendary puppet Master of Ceremonies Aplombov, brought to the exposition by the Obraztsov Theatre Museum — a character fondly remembered by audiences across several generations.
"Master of Ceremonies Aplombov is one of our signature exhibits. He also represents a bridge between generations. When older visitors come here with their children — or perhaps even with their grandchildren — they will be able to share the joy they experienced while watching our performances. The younger generation, in turn, will discover that same joy for themselves, make a personal connection with the exhibit, and realise that the world of theatre is also a vast world of professions," Galina Shirokova explained.
She admitted that, after many years working in museums, she views the exposition differently from an ordinary visitor. For Galina Shirokova, every exhibit represents, above all, the dedication of museum curators and exposition specialists, while the exposition itself becomes what she calls an "assembly point."
"As I walk through the exposition, I look not only at the objects themselves, but also at how they are displayed and whether exposition standards have been properly observed. I can honestly say that everything here has been done wonderfully. Every single exhibit is remarkable because I understand how much work has gone into ensuring it could be presented here. Behind each one stands the dedication of curators and exposition specialists, and that is something truly invaluable," Galina Shirokova said.
She also added that, for the Obraztsov Theatre Museum, participating in the exposition represents another important step towards helping young people see theatre as a place full of opportunities.
"For us as a museum, this is tremendously important because we do much more than organise guided tours — we also have a career guidance mission. It is important for children to know that they can choose from the enormous range of professions that exist today. That is why I believe this exposition has been a real success. It feels thoroughly contemporary while showing genuine respect for every exhibit. I would like to congratulate all the organisers on this tremendous achievement," Galina Shirokova concluded.
The "Legacy. Theatre. The Greats" exposition, presented under the motto "A Union of Happy People," opened on 28 July at the National Centre RUSSIA. The project marks the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation. Bringing together more than 600 exhibits from 117 theatre organisations across 29 regions of Russia, the exposition introduces visitors to the history of the Union of Theatre Workers and the remarkable diversity of theatre professions. The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
The exposition is free to visit with advance registration on the National Centre RUSSIA website.
