Society and Church: First Interregional Exhibition “Orthodox Russia” in Irkutsk

September 1 – 7, 2011 Irkutsk is holding the First Interregional Exhibition “Orthodox Russia” as a part of “Orthodox Russia” exhibition-forum. Irkutsk has become the ninth city to get included into this project along with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Veliky Novgorod, Samara, and Novosibirsk. The exhibition is a part of celebrations on the occasion of Irkutsk 350th foundation.

“Orthodox Russia” exhibition-forum – is a unique exhibition project that has been implemented with blessing of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. During the celebration of the jubilee Patriarch will make a pastoral visit to the city, visit churches and monasteries, meet with priests, flock and administration of Irkutsk Region and Irkutsk.

The main purpose of the forum is to preserve and further traditional spiritual values of native culture, art and morality, promote patriotic upbringing of the rising generation and consolidate Russian society.

This is an international exhibition: over 100 church and secular organizations, whose activities are related to church, will represent Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Greece, Montenegro and the Holy Land.

The central theme of the exhibition-forum in 2011 is “Russian Orthodox Church. Outcomes of two decades: 1991-2011”.

The exhibition is conducted not only for believers but also for all those who takes an interest in culture, history and art. It showcases books, icons, jewelry, vestments and secular clothing, pottery, records of lectures, films, religions and classic music, souvenirs and monastic fancywork.