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Unique Exhibition Brought to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk as Sakhalin-2 Project Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

This significant endeavour was executed together with the largest national history museum and supported by the Sakhalin Oblast Government, the Ministry of Culture and Archives of Sakhalin Oblast, the Museum of Anton Chekhov’s Book The Sakhalin Island, and Sakhalin Energy.

“We all know that the State Historical Museum is located in the heart of our country and preserves invaluable artefacts from different eras. Now, residents and guests of our region will be able to appreciate some of them right here on the island. The exhibition features exclusive items, once owned by historical figures who explored and developed Sakhalin, the Kurils, and the Far East,” remarked Valery Limarenko, Governor of Sakhalin Oblast, during the exhibition’s opening ceremony.

The exhibition tells the story of Russia’s eastward expansion from the 16^th to the 20^th century, as well as the scientific and economic advancements in these territories. Sakhalin Energy has curated this extraordinary exhibition as part of the 30th anniversary of the Sakhalin-2 project, offering a unique experience for both residents and visitors of the region.

“The history of the Far East’s development shows that it could have only been achieved through the collaborative efforts of creative and ambitious people of different standings but common interests. Supported by the state, these private initiatives led to the development of new territories, the securing of landmarks, and the forging of international relations. This process is still ongoing! It is wonderful that through the joint creative effort and support, this outstanding exhibition project was born,” noted Natalia Gonchar, Head of the Corporate Affairs Division at Sakhalin Energy.

Out of the 5.5 million exhibits housed in its collections, the State Historical Museum has selected the most iconic items pertaining to the history of the Russian Far East.

Many of these artefacts are on public display for the first time. The exhibition features an actual fragment of the hull of the frigate Pallada; the uniform of Anna Shchetinina, the first female captain in the USSR civil fleet; a diamond-encrusted medallion with the portraits of Emperors Alexander II and Alexander III, presented to the Foreign Minister Alexander Gorchakov; and a portrait of the seafarer Yury Lisyansky painted by the renowned Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov.

The challenging and heroic efforts involved in the development of the Far East are illustrated through the personal belongings of pioneering navigators, internationally acclaimed scientists, and officials from the past century; as well as through maps, weapons, jewellery, and other remarkable artefacts.

“This is not our first collaboration with the State Historical Museum – in 2022, we took part in the organisation of the exhibition Your Country. Sakhalin and the Kurils: Through Time to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Sakhalin Oblast. We are delighted that our new collaboration has resulted in such a massive project,” said Evgenia Firsova, Director of the Museum of Anton Chekhov’s Book.

“This exhibition offers more than just its impressive scale, even though we have brought over 180 items to Sakhalin, most of which are being displayed for the first time. It is equally important that we introduce Sakhalin’s audience to the museum’s latest practices, effectively transforming the exhibition into a performance! This is an unparalleled experience for the region, as the project has been created from scratch – from concept and design to its full implementation, involving a diverse team of specialists,” noted Sergey Sergushkin, project sponsor and senior researcher at the State Historical Museum.

The Russia in the Far East in the Collections of the State Historical Museum exhibition is open to the public for several months.

26 August 2024

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