International Exhibition of Calligraphy

International Exhibition of Calligraphy (Междунаро́дная вы́ставка каллигра́фии) — a project organized by Contemporary museum of calligraphy, with the support of the Museum-educational complex Sokolniki. Its aim is the promotion of the art of calligraphy and its educational significance through exhibitions and festivals.

About
Calligraphy is the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner (Mediavilla 1996: 18).

In 2008 Alexey Shaburov, the President of Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre initiated the project with renowned calligraphers and designers, namely Pyotr Chobitko, Evgeny Dobrovinsky, professors Leonid Pronenko, Pavel Semchenko, one of the founders of the Soviet calligraphy school Ilya Bogdesko, and Nikolay Taranov to join it within a few months.

Participants
Over the years of the project's existence, it has featured works by renowned calligraphers from the following countries:

Australia, Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Hong Kong, Greece, Georgia, Israel, India, Jordan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Slovenia, USA, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Finland, France, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa.



Exhibitions

 * I International Exhibition of Calligraphy

Repin State Academic Institute of Painting Sculpture and Architecture hosted the I International Exhibition of Calligraphy on September 16–21, 2008. On the first day, more than 500 people visited it even before the official opening.480 works from 26 states were presented. In total, over 700 works were submitted for the exhibition.

More than 20 lectures and workshops from Russian and foreign artists were held during the five days of the Exhibition. The exhibition boasted with the presence of 40 renowned international calligraphers.

Interesting facts

The welcome book was to be posted an entry in with ink and quill.

All female visitors on the last day of the Exhibition were presented with white roses.

Visitors of the event included a just-married couple and a group of cadets.

National Union of Calligraphers
On May 14, 2008 the National Union of Calligraphers was established at the International Exhibition of Calligraphy. The handwritten charter with many famous Russian calligraphers’ signatures testifies to the Union's birth. Under the Charter the Union aims at revival of the art of calligraphy in Russia, creating conditions for its development and admitting everybody who is willing to learn the beauty of writing. Petr Chobitko was elected Chairman of the Union with Alexey Shaburov as its President.

The most outstanding Union's masterpiece is the Handwritten Constitution of the Russian Federation performed by Pyotr Chobitko in person. It is stored at Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy. Miniature copies of the piece have been prepared as gift editions.