In 2001, in Moscow, it was decided to open the State Gulag Museum. Its founder was A.V. Antonov-Ovseenko - a public figure, historian, publicist, who himself had to go through all the horrors of the Stalinist camps.
Human memory is so arranged that it can distort and even completely “overwrite” the available information. What events does she play the fastest? Naturally, the good, and the bad seeks to quickly "erase" and never revive them ever again.
At the same time, in the past of our people there are events and facts that must never be forgotten, because this is our history.
One of such pages in the sad past of our great country is the Gulag. Many of today's young (and, incidentally, not very young) people are poorly aware of what the Gulag is, what an ominous role it played in the history of our people. And before in the USSR there was practically no family that would not be affected by the omnipotent and terrible organization.
From the history of the museum
Until 2001, the history of the Gulag existed only in written, literary works, documents and memoirs. Its material reconstruction became possible only after the Gulag Museum in Moscow appeared.
The idea of creating it came to the mind not of an ordinary person, but of a specialist who had studied the history of the country perfectly, a writer and publicist, a fighter for the rights of the repressed, a prisoner of the Gulag, who had experienced the horrors of camp life for 13 years. A.V. Antonov-Ovseenko is the son of a legendary officer, a convinced revolutionary, a former nobleman.
How it all began
In 2001, the Moscow City Hall allocated a room of 700 m² for the museum. It was very dilapidated, requiring restoration. Its only advantage was its convenient location - in the very center of the capital, not far from Lubyanka, on the Kuznetsk bridge.
A.V. Antonov-Ovseenko was approved as a director. He remained in this post for eleven years. Unfortunately, in 2013, at the 94th year of his life, he died.
Collection of exhibits
The first personal belongings of his father to the museum were provided by Vladimir Antonov-Ovseenko. Soon, former prisoners of the terrible camp, their loved ones and relatives began to donate priceless exhibits. These were personal items, books, photographs, letters and documents. In 2004, the Gulag Museum on Petrovka met the first visitors.
First impression
Those who fall into the museum yard, on both sides of which a barbed wire is drawn, simulating a barrage of the camp, and sees a watchtower, feel uneasy.
Portraits of twelve great people who perished in the Stalinist camps are inserted into the exterior windows of the building.
What to see
The Gulag Museum in Moscow has a permanent exhibition, which is located 100 square meters on the second floor of the building. Here are stands that inform about the families of Bulat Okudzhava, Georgy Zhzhenov and other honored people, as well as numerous photographs of the victims. The exposition presents archival documents, camp wall newspapers, maps.
Here you can see household items of prisoners - teapots, spoons, quilted jackets. Many talented people went through these camps. Today, the Gulag Museum has a collection of paintings created by artist prisoners.
Museum workers recount a case when two elderly women, a native of Kabardino-Balkaria, came to them. They brought as a gift to the store various historical materials: documents, books, letters of former prisoners. But of all, of course, important things, the workers were most struck by the brought in tiny children's shoes and stockings. As it turned out, these women for 20 years bit by bit collected the most valuable materials and information about the residents of Kabardino-Balkaria, who were repressed, and then they published a book about them at their own expense.
One of the women spent 3 years in the prison cell, having got there with her mother when she was only eight months old. The girl took her first steps on the cement ice floor of the cell. Once the head of the colony went there. Seeing a frozen child with bare feet, for some reason he suddenly took pity and ordered his subordinates to buy these shoes and stockings at the market. Seen a lot of museum workers can not hold back tears, telling such stories.
Various exhibitions are held on the ground floor of the building, which often change. You can find out their subjects and schedule on the official website of the museum.
Gulag Museum: features of work
It must be said that all the employees of this museum are very sensitive to the memory of those to whom fate has prepared such a terrible test.
The museum has a volunteer center, consisting of enthusiasts, people who are creative and very friendly. What does this center do? It assists museum staff in conducting creative meetings with veterans, visiting exhibitions, and concerts. Volunteers help the elderly and not very healthy people affected by the Stalinist repressions. Everyone can take an active part in the work of the center. To do this, fill out a questionnaire that will be given at the museum's box office.
Visitors reviews
All visitors to the Gulag Museum (whose photo you see in our article) note that they have experienced strong emotions. The heart contracts at the sight of the documents and exhibits presented here. All visitors agree on one thing - the Gulag Museum must be visited by everyone. In order for us, as well as our children and grandchildren to remember, what the Stalinist repressions are and how they turned out for our people. This must be seen in order to never allow the repetition of a terrible tragedy in their native land.
