Alexander Solzhenitsyn: Mystery of Life and Work. Interview with N.Y. Samoylenko, Deputy Director General of the Russian State Library

Abstract

In 2018, the 100th birth anniversary of A.I. Solzhenitsyn is celebrated. The article reveals the consistent work on the exhibition Project “Writer and Mystery: Alexander Solzhenitsyn”, carried out in the Museum-Reserve “Tsaritsyno” (December 15, 2017 — February 25, 2018), one of the co-organizers of which was the Russian State Library (RSL). The method of interview gives an opportunity to reveal the subjective vision, concepts and exhibition practices of the Head of Project, Deputy Director General of the RSL Natalya Y. Samoylenko, which she managed to use in its implementation. In fact, the interview is a masterclass in the preparation of such events; it reveals the professional creative approach and features of event management, forming the communications of different levels and contributing to the understanding of the place and role of all partners involved in the project. Peculiarity of this project is determined by the fact that A.I. Solzhenitsyn is our contemporary. The living and emotional perception of him by people is still prevailing in the mass consciousness; and the image of the classical writer, more refined and supported by scientific research of biographers, bibliographers, literary critics, which will be fixed by time and will become his hallmark, while still evolving. Therefore, each exhibition, where you can see objects and artefacts that reveal certain facets of the character and actions of the writer, is a unique construct and event. This is especially true for understanding the inner world and motivation of the writer's actions, which give the key to the formation of his relations to the world, society, power. The library, as the Keeper of the book cultural heritage and knowledge, can become an indispensable active participant in this process, not only accompanying the exhibition, but also revealing its collections, the atmosphere of book culture, the attitude towards book, publishing activity and its technologies, appropriate to the time of the exhibited space and communications. The event context of the libraries’ exhibition activities, their involvement in socio-cultural processes, contributing to the expansion of interests and spheres of participation, will stimulate the development of scientific activity of libraries in the framework of postnonclassical research practices.