Memory of Russia: Historical and documentary exhibition "Alexander Nevsky and his Image in Historical Memory", marking the 800th anniversary of the Saint Prince, opened in Moscow

On September 30, 2021, the Exhibition Hall of Federal Archives in Moscow hosted the opening of the historical and documentary exhibition "Alexander Nevsky and his Image in Historical Memory". The project marks the 800th anniversary of the ruler, who stood at the origins of Russian statehood and is its patron saint.

Exhibition organizers are the Rosarkhiv, the Russian State Archives of Ancient Documents, the Russian Historical Society, supported by the History of the Fatherland Foundation.

The exhibition is devoted to the personality and deeds of Prince Alexander Nevsky. It perpetuates his memory and is timed to coincide with a significant date - the transfer of the relics of Prince Alexander Nevsky from the Nativity Monastery in Vladimir to the Trinity Monastery in St. Petersburg (Alexander Nevsky Lavra). On August 11, 1723, by order of Peter the Great, the relics of Alexander Nevsky were taken from Vladimir, on October 1, 1723, they were delivered to Shlisselburg, and on August 30, 1724, they were solemnly brought to the Alexander Nevsky Church of the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. On September 12, the Russian Orthodox Church annually marks the transfer of the relics of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky, the patron of the Russian land.

For the first time, the exposition features unique chronicles of the life and deeds of Prince Alexander Nevsky provided by the Russian State Archives of Ancient Documents. It includes original archival documents and museum items that laid the foundation for his veneration as a saint, reports on the transfer of miraculous relics from Vladimir to St. Petersburg, on the use of the image of a commander in the award system of the Russian Empire - USSR - Russian Federation.

A special place at the exhibition is devoted to documents and photographs telling about the creation of Sergei Eisenstein's film Alexander Nevsky - the classics of Soviet cinema. The image of the commander and the historical events associated with his name became an example of resistance to Nazi aggression during the Great Patriotic War.

The exhibition comprises more than 400 exhibits - original archival documents, graphic works, prints, icons, awards, photographs and films. Multimedia screens present part of the exhibis. Visitors may see unique newsreels of his relics examination in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the awarding of the Order of Alexander Nevsky on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War and the restored film Alexander Nevsky by Sergei Eisenstein.

The exhibition will run until November 7, 2021.