ROSIZO and the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan opened the exhibition "Living Tradition"

On May 15, 2024, as part of the cultural program of the XV International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024", the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan opened the exhibition "Living Tradition". The exposition combines two time layers of Islamic culture: ancient artifacts and modern art.

The exhibition opening ceremony was attended by Leila Fazleeva, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Olga Galaktionova, Director General of ROSIZO, Khairul Firdaus AKBAR KHAN, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, and Rishat Khamidullin, Advisor to the Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan on Information Policy.

"Here are reflections on big meanings, on traditional values, which exactly characterizes KazanForum 2024. The issues that are discussed at the Forum are the movement forward based on traditions, the very living tradition, living history," said Leila Fazleeva, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan.

"The cultural sphere plays an integral role in the development of relations between countries, facilitates the exchange of experience and ideas, and strengthens friendly ties between peoples. We are very proud and honored to open the exhibition of Islamic culture "Living Tradition" jointly with the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan as part of the cultural program of the XV International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024". The exhibition is unique in its kind. The combination of more than 90 exhibits, ancient artifacts and modern art in one space gives birth to an understanding of the living tradition of Islamic art. I would like to thank all our partners, thanks to whom this project has become a reality," emphasized Olga Galaktionova, General Director of ROSIZO. 

"Islam is a religion of pondering, and many people come to this through art. We believe that we need this exhibition very much. People should familiarize themselves with the creations that were there before and that are there now. This is our history, we need to know it. Especially the younger generation," said Rishat Khamidullin, Advisor to the Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan on Information Policy.

"The title of the exhibition is very aptly chosen. "Living Tradition" refers to the dynamic cultural ties that sustain us and remind us of our historical roots. Living tradition is the true spirit of community, the spirit of continuing life - from the past to the present and future," emphasized Khairul Firdaus AKBAR KHAN, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.

"For all the artists featured here, 'tradition' is a living concept. It is not something hardened, not a canon that they are forced to follow, it is something they are inspired and energized by," shared the curator of the project Andrei Raikin.

Among the artifacts are items from the collection of the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan: a fragment of the portal of the mosque of the 13th-14th centuries and a slab from the first destroyed Blue Mosque in Afghanistan. The fundamental symbol of the exposition was the Quran of Osman - a reprint edition of the most ancient manuscript - surrounded by paintings dedicated to the sacred texts. The guests also saw the 1507 book "Translation of the Meaning of the Koran" and the staff of the famous 19th century theologian Shigabutdin Marjani.

Contemporary art is represented by the collection of the Sh. Marjani Foundation for Support and Development of Scientific and Cultural Programs, the largest private collection of works of Islamic culture. Two spatial installations stand out among the exhibits: one of them is a series of abstract sculptures "Silk Road" by Gaini Chagotaeva, the second one, created especially for the exhibition, curatorial installation "Set Table", includes Soviet author's ceramics from the collection of the State Museum and Exhibition Center "ROSIZO".

The exhibition also includes a large-scale sketch for the movie "Ulugbek's Star" by Chingiz Akhmarov, an Uzbek master who mastered the heritage of medieval miniature painting. Paintings "Calligraphy with a Brush" by Iraqi artist Ten Imado and "Ligature of the Koran" by Syrian artist Abo Muhammad Shaar from the Gallery of Islamic Art are shown at the exhibition for the first time.

The exhibition includes more than 90 exhibits from the collections of ROSIZO, the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Marjani Foundation for the Support and Development of Scientific and Cultural Programs, and the Gallery of Islamic Art.