THE SONG OF LOVE TRIUMPHANT. ON I. S. TURGENEV MUSEUM

Abstract

In their joint interview, Elena V. Polyanskaya, the curator of Ivan Turgenev’s museum in Moscow, and its senior research fellow Elena M. Gribkova tell the story of the museum’s founding in 2007. Prefacing the interview is a brief in memoriam devoted to the recently passed E. Gribkova, who had worked at the Ostozhenka-based memorial house since its inception. Much emphasis is given to Turgenev’s integration into European culture through his friendship with Louis and Pauline Viardot, and the perception of his works by Flaubert, Maupassant, and Mеrimеe. The interview touches on the social and political stance of Turgenev and mentions a number of facts of his personal and creative life that are related to Moscow. The interviewees also reveal the selection process behind the museum’s exhibits and dwell on their main professional objective, i. e. to try and recreate, at least partially, the genuine period setting and decoration of the house. The new exhibition immerses the visitors into the world of Turgenev, an 1840-s man, and his mother: the world of the Russian landed gentry, of fathers and sons.