Konstantin Paustovsky is a classic of Russian literature, his descriptions of nature are familiar from school and do not leave anyone indifferent. His main profession was journalism, and his vocation was philosophy and literature.
History of occurrence
The Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki arose thanks to a popular initiative in 1975. A group of three people created the public museum of K. G. Paustovsky. The first exposition was located in the club "Sputnik-2" on Yasnopolyanskaya street in Moscow. Exhibits for the exhibition were gathered on expeditions to the writer's places of life, the main workers in this field were students of the Moscow school No. 456, participants in the literary and drama studio. The exposition lasted eleven years (1975-1986).
In 1984, the Paustovsky Museum received the title of People. He was a living organism, literary readings, creative evenings were held here, to which literary figures such as V. Paustovsky, B. Okudzhava, M. Aliger and others were invited. In 1987, the People's Museum moved to the "Gardener’s House", which is located on the territory of the former estate of the princes Golitsyn.
In 1991, a change of founders takes place in the institution and a charter is adopted, according to which the institution became known as the literary museum-center of K. G. Paustovsky. After some time, thanks to the collective appeal of cultural figures to the Moscow government, the museum was transferred to the jurisdiction of the city authorities, having received the status of a state institution.
Museum funds
The Paustovsky House-Museum in Kuzminki has a large collection of materials related to the life and work of the writer. The funds contain more than 17 thousand exhibits, documents, testimonies and memoirs. The collection is presented in the sections:
- Paustovsky’s personal belongings, family values, a collection of items from the period of two world wars, revolutions, and civil confrontation in Russia.
- Documents. This section contains diaries, manuscripts of the writer and family members. The same section includes materials from scientists who studied the work of Paustovsky.
- Archive, which includes published works in the form of books, newspaper and magazine publications in Russian and translations into foreign languages, a rare book fund.
- Fine Fund. The content of the section is represented by illustrations for the writer's works, artwork belonging to family members (wife, son), the work of artists of the period 20-40, modern works.
- Section of film, photo, phonographic documents. The materials contain recordings of Paustovsky’s voice, an archive of photographs with his participation, and an adaptation of the works. The fund also contains materials related to the family and close circle.
- The scientific archive contains documents and materials on the activities of the museum from the moment of its establishment to the present stage.
- The library in which literature, local history literature is stored. Here is a large fund of works by Paustovsky (books, periodicals, magazines, textbooks, etc.).
"Ecos" Paustovsky
In 2013, the Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki opened an exposition located on the ground floor of the building. The thematic exhibition is dedicated to the creative life of the writer, its uniqueness lies in the active participation of visitors in the space of exhibits, theatricalization of excursions. The connecting plot of the exposition is the creative search for his true home, or “ecos,” in Paustovsky’s work and fate. Five sections lead the visitor along a creative and philosophical path:
- "Town". The place where the soul was born. It is filled with revolutions, troubles, wars and internal problems of choice, the search for its own space for life, harmony and realization.
- "Sea". A changing space filled with joy, the sun, but sometimes lead clouds move in it , a stormy element carries the little boats to the chips. Space is associated with love transforming into a creative beginning.
- "Forest". A creative environment filled with life, both manifest and hidden. In it they learn the laws and reverent attitude towards all living things.
- "World". The composition is associated with the life of a writer at the zenith of fame, creative enthusiasm, where there is a place for lectures, speeches, participation in events, raising students, disputes with ill-wishers.
- "House". This "ecos" is the ideal world of the writer, where all previous incarnations are harmoniously combined. He found refuge in Tarusa, on the banks of the Oka, where his constant companions were family, creativity, inspiration.
Excursions
The Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki offers for children and adults to attend excursions and lectures that tell not only the life and work of the writer, but also devoted to local history and history:
- Sightseeing tour for younger schoolchildren “Traveling around Paustovsky’s country”.
- Sightseeing tour "Our life is a story with geography", focused on students of grades 6-8.
- Senior schoolchildren and adults will significantly supplement the knowledge about Paustovsky and his work by visiting the tour “Literature - Destiny, Duty, Life ...”.
- "Paustovsky is a gymnasium student." A lesson in which museum employees talk about the writer’s first academic years in a Kiev gymnasium, about the differences between the modern school and the pre-revolutionary education system, what the class schedule was and what was taught. Participants in the lecture can try their hand at calligraphy, where they will learn to write with a fountain pen and ink.
- Lecture "Moscow Paustovsky" - a story about Moscow places where the writer visited, photo and video documents are shown.
- The interactive lesson “A fairy tale will always live” tells about the writer’s childhood and the tales he wrote.
- "Secrets of the museum profession." In an interactive form, children learn the intricacies of the museum employee’s work, the functioning of the museum, study the concepts of “collection”, “storage funds”, etc.
- Master class "Caring flower". In the lesson, children learn to create herbaria, make a card with natural materials.
- "Secrets of an old suitcase." During the thematic lesson, museum staff, together with the children, discover the secrets of Paustovsky’s work “Residents of the Old House” and go in search of antiques. The crown of the lesson is the collective viewing of an animated film based on the work.
- "Travel to Tarusa." This is a small city where at one time representatives of creative professions - artists, poets, writers, directors, liked to settle. For many years, the appearance of Tarusa has not changed much, and now it is an object of cultural heritage, there is also a house of Paustovsky. Excursions are held only in the warm season, in winter (except for school holidays) the house is closed.
In addition to these events, the museum plan offers a large number of fascinating, informative excursions, lectures, meetings that make the center of culture the Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki. Photo reports from events demonstrate the richness of programs and their popularity.
Other museum activities
Since 1992, the Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki has been publishing, releasing the magazine “Paustovsky’s World”. Much scientific work is being done on the study, systematization of the collection of funds, archives. The employees initiate and conduct scientific conferences in the cities where the writer visited, a lot of attention is paid to the Moscow period of Paustovsky’s work and life.
One of the important tasks and the goal of the museum is to popularize the literary works of the writer, preserve his memory in Russia and in foreign countries. An educational program focused on children and adults is constantly being supplemented and expanded, designed to deepen knowledge of Russian literature and Paustovsky’s place in it. As part of the activity, literary, musical evenings, meetings with cultural figures, writers are held within the walls of the museum.
Reviews
The Paustovsky House Museum is interesting for both adults and children. Visitors made an extremely positive opinion about him. Many note the unusual exposition of the museum, enthusiastically talk about the opportunity to hear the writer’s voice, see his manuscripts and touch creativity. Visitors note that after a museum tour, they again began to read the works of the writer.
Also, most people who went on an excursion express gratitude to the staff of the institution for their responsiveness, completeness of stories, and the originality of the exposition that distinguishes the Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki. The description of the life and work of the writer here is interspersed with documents of the era in which he lived and worked. A great positive response was aroused by the opportunity to attend film screenings, which demonstrate films shot based on the writer's works.
There are no negative reviews about the museum, but some visitors noted that public transport is not very convenient.
Helpful information
Museum work schedule: from April to November - from 11:00 to 18:00, from November to March - from 10:00 to 17:00.
Every Thursday, the Evening in the Museum ’campaign is held (the program includes lectures, tours, film screenings, meetings), these days the work schedule is changing and the museum is open from 13:00 to 21:00. To visit the evenings you need to sign up. Every Tuesday in the museum is a day off, the last Friday of the month is a sanitary day.
Have you decided to visit the Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki? How to get here, we will tell you now:
- From the Ryazansky Prospekt metro station, take the bus (No. 29) to the Paustovsky Museum stop or take the No. 725 bus to the Veterinary Academy stop, walk from it along the park alley to the museum building.
- From the Kuzminki metro station, go to the Vysota Cinema stop, take the trolleybus on Routes 27 or 38 to the Veterinary Academy stop, from which you will walk along the park alley to the museum.
The cost of tickets for adults - from 200 rubles, for children and privileged categories of citizens the cost of tickets - from 100 rubles. On the third Sunday of every month, access to the museum is free for all visitors.
Paustovsky Museum in Kuzminki, the address is as follows: Moscow city, Kuzminskaya street, building 8.