International events: Exhibition in Moscow turns the light on the history of French-Russian families

The exhibition entitled “Moscow – Paris. History of French-Russian families in Moscow spanning 250 years” kicked off on October 7 2010 in Moscow at the Turgenev Library.

The exhibition brings together unique materials originating from private collections of French families descendants, who live in Moscow. Many of them not only feel the awe of their French descent, but with pride bear French surnames of their ancestors like Armand, Salle, Tillo, Reynaud, Courtener, Anjou etc.

The new exhibition is especially topical during the Russia-France Year. Casting the light on lives of certain French families, it shows contemporaries the depth of interconnection between our peoples. Exhibition’s organizers hope to track down new relationship ties and revive historically destroyed contacts between families of Russia and France, promoting not only their consolidation but also further improvement of mutual understanding between two countries.

Russian families, which have French roots, have been living in Russia since olden times. The history of two countries had many events, which affected the migration of French people to Russia. It was Peter the Great who started attracting French emigrants to Russia and provided them places to settle. During the reign of Elizabeth of Russia (Elizaveta Petrovna) the aspiration to inhabit new lands with foreign colonists increased. It was an especially active process from 1762 up to 1786 under the patronage of several manifestos and decrees of the Empress Catherine II.

Interest displayed by Russia in market and cultural relations with France, which had leading positions in Europe, in its scientific openings and new technologies was always keen. Events which took place in France in certain periods of its history, also influenced the process of emigration of French families to other countries, including Russia.

The exhibition will be open up to October 20.