On 12 June 2024, in the Suzdal Kremlin there was a grand opening of the joint exhibition of the Moscow Kremlin Museums and the Vladimir and Suzdal Museum and Heritage Site "Russian Phoenix. Suzdal Land". The ceremony was timed to coincide with the Russia Day and the 1000th anniversary of the first chronicle mentioning Suzdal, which for centuries remained the centre of gathering Russian lands.
The display presents more than 240 items from the collections of the two museums: masterpieces of icon painting, white stone reliefs, liturgical vestments, and precious contributions of Russian sovereigns to the churches of Suzdal and much more.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District Igor Shchyogolev, the Governor of the Vladimir Region Alexander Avdeyev, the Director of the Department of Museums and External Relations of the Russian Ministry of Culture Elena Kharlamova, the Director General of the Moscow Kremlin Museums Elena Gagarina, the Director General of the Vladimir and Suzdal Museum and Heritage Site Ekaterina Pronicheva, the Metropolitan of Vladimir and Suzdal Tikhon, and the Head of the Suzdal City Administration Alisa Biryukova.
"This is a joint project that we managed to do in a very short time – within a year. It was clear that the 1000th Anniversary of Suzdal could not be postponed, it had to be done now. Everyone worked very hard to make this exhibition happen. The last time I saw such a magnificent display was in the Louvre in 2010 – it was the "Holy Russia" project, to which all the museums of our country contributed the finest works of Old Russian art. A wonderful, both very beautiful, and truly scientific catalogue of this exhibition has been published, which will be of interest both to those who admire this art and to the entire scientific community," Elena Gagarina addressed the guests.
"It is pleasant that such an exhibition is being opened on Russia Day, a day when we particularly like to remember the various stages of our great history. The President never tires of saying that we must remember our past, cherish our history – it is the basis for our movement forward, for building a lasting edifice of Russian statehood on this foundation. Looking at what is on display here, we are steeped in the history of how these events took place, picking up at the height of the 21st century the traditions that were established in the 11th century and then repeated and reproduced in one form or another over the years. The transfer of relics and other treasures first from Suzdal and Vladimir to Moscow, and now temporarily from Moscow to Suzdal and Vladimir, shows that we remember and love our history," said Igor Shchegolev.
Alexander Avdeyev said: "Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the museum history, one that we have been preparing for so long and trying to put together in time. This historic exhibition is made possible thanks to the efforts of Elena Yurievna Gagarina and Ekaterina Vladimirovna Pronicheva".
"Such a project could only be carried out in partnership with a world-class museum such as the Moscow Kremlin Museums. And with the work of our two teams, we have managed to create a project that could make any museum in the world famous. This exhibition is the main project to celebrate the millennium of Suzdal. It is our tribute to the history of the country and the ancient city of Suzdal," said Ekaterina Pronicheva at the opening ceremony.
"Suzdal is a small city, probably the most visited city in the country. Many people come here just to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of antiquity, and with these exhibitions we are making it clear that Suzdal is the dominant part of Russian statehood, its development and preservation. And this project is an important cultural event not only for Suzdal, but for the whole country. Shows of this kind have not been held for a long time," emphasised Elena Kharlamova.
"Such exhibitions help us to return to our roots, to spiritual and moral values that are so necessary both for our country, and for the whole world. Creation works in Orthodox culture is eternal, that is why we appreciate it so much and always find time to contact these great works of art," said Metropolitan of Vladimir and Suzdal Tikhon.
Alisa Biryukova, head of the Suzdal city administration, said that the display was a concentrated expression of the tenseness and high dignity of the thousand-year history of the Russian state. She added that Suzdal has an amazing ability to preserve its outstanding significance for Russian identity throughout the centuries.
The exhibition will run until 1 October 2024.