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In Sholokhov Museum Students Study the Notes of Princess Fike

The exhibition “Catherine II. The Path to the Throne” from the collection of the State Historical Museum, which is displayed in the Excursion-Exhibition Centre “People’s House” draws a great attention of visitors of all ages.

The unique exhibits tell about Catherine II (nee Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt Zerbst, or as she was also called Princess Fike) and the era of her reign. The exhibition shows painting portraits of the empresses Yelizaveta Petrovna and Yekaterina Alexeyevna, Emperor Pyotr Fyodorovich and Great Prince Pavel Petrovich in their childhood, the Empress’ favourites Grirory and Alexey Orlov, objects of palace daily use – silver and porcelain sets, tableware, chess, as well as books by Rousseau and Voltaire, coins, orders and arms. The visitors learn bout historic documents including manifests, Charter of Empress Catherine II to Lieutenant-General Grigory Grigoriyevich Orlov for Count’s dignity and the coat of arms of the Russian Empire and letters of Catherine II.

Interactive classes “From the Notes of Princess Fike” are held at the exhibition for schoolchildren. The boys and girls immerse into the atmosphere of the mid XVIII century and by means of the exhibition they learn about the events in the life of Catherine II: bringing up of the Princess, her arrival in Russia, adoption of Orthodoxy, her marriage with the heir to the throne, the palace coup and coronation of the Empress of the Russian throne.

A fragment of the film “The Romanovs” tells the learners about the court etiquette with its exquisite accessories, balls and masquerades. Following that, the children assemble puzzles picturing the first Russian orders – that of Saint Andrew the First Called and Alexander Nevsky, paint pictures of outfits, make fans and do fancy hairstyles such as those that existed in the time of Catherine II.

The excursions about the exhibition of the State Historical Museum and the classes enable the young visitors to learn more about the history of Russia and its governors.

The exhibition “Catherine II.The Path to the Throne” will run until August, 9, 2015.

Svetlana Usova