A new exhibition of the Presidential Library is timed to the 150th birthday anniversary of P. A. Stolypin

April 10, 2012 the Presidential Library opened an exhibition "The Public Mood of the Soul", devoted to the birthday anniversary of the bright state figure of tsarist Russia P. A. Stolypin.

The title of the exhibition repeats the words of the philosopher Ivan Ilyin, who wrote that the state cannot exist without a "true public mood of the soul." These words can truly be attributed to the personality of Stolypin, who left a deep mark in the history of Russia in the early 20th century.

An important part of the exhibition "Public Mood of the Soul" includes materials on the activities of Stolypin as Chairman of the Council of Ministers. The exhibition features a note written by the Emperor Nicholas II to Stolypin who wishes him success in the speech at the State Council. From the stands of the State Duma and the State Council, he had delivered 14 speeches, urging the authorities to join forces with the society in the transformation of the country.

Owing to the modern multimedia equipment has allowed accommodation of numerous electronic copies of archival documents, photographs, documentary newsreel covering the activities of Stolypin in the limited exhibition space.

The exhibition features unique footage of newsreels of the early 20th century, depicting the prime minister while traveling with the Emperor Nicholas II. Of particular interest are the rare photographs taken at the celebrations in Kiev in August 1911, just days before the death of P. A. Stolypin. There are also some recordings of the farewell ceremony for Prime Minister after the deadly attack, and footage from the unveiling of the monument to Stolypin in Kiev in 1913.

The exposition also reveals the personality of the reformer. The showcases and screens feature photographs of different years of Stolypin, the letters to his wife. Visitors will see a copy of a notebook where he made notes with his own hand before his tragic death.

Part of the exhibition displays archival documents relating to the history of Stolypin’s family, to which also belonged the poet Mikhail Lermontov. Visitors will have an opportunity to leaf electronic copies of family albums.

Advocating for the prosperity of Russia and Russian people, Stolypin said: "... A government that has the convictions, the ideals, not only believes in what it does, but it does what it believes." He left behind a rich legacy of ideas and projects of reconstruction in various areas of the country, which has yet to be rethought.

Timed to the anniversary date, the collection "Pyotr A. Stolypin" has been developed by the Presidential Library specialists. The collection includes rare documentary materials, speeches, correspondence of Stolypin, as well as studies on the activities of the reformer. The materials of the collection are available in the electronic reading room and the library’s portal.

The exhibition "Public Mood of the Soul" will run April 10 to August 22, 2012 in the exhibition halls of the Presidential Library.

The Presidential Library thanks the partners who provided support in the preparation of the exhibition:

The State Archives of the Russian Federation;

The Russian State Historical Archives;

The Stolypin Heritage Study Foundation;

The National Library of Russia;

The Fundamental Library of the Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University;

The Fundamental Library of the St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University;

The Mayakovsky Central City Public Library;

The State Archive of Film and Photo (Krasnogorsk);

The Saratov Regional Museum of Local History;

N. N. Anciferov, member of the Russian Union of Artists.