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5. Russian Anthropological Exhibition: general concept and the place of ethnography

Russian Anthropological Exhibition: general concept and the place of ethnography

Balakhonova E.I.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mokhovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia

Balakhonova Ekaterina I., Ph.D., e-mail: balakhonova@gmail.com

Abstract

The article, devoted to the 130-th anniversary of the Russian Anthropological Exhibition, discusses the exhibition’s concept. The idea to arrange an exhibition belonged to the famous Russian professor, Head of Moscow Zoological Museum A.P. Bogdanov. It was organized with the support of the Society of Amateurs of Natural History, Anthropology and Ethnography and was held in Moscow Manege from the 3rd of April till 2nd of September, 1879. More than 100,000 people visited the exhibition. The key goals of the exhibition were to acquaint society with essential natural principles of anthropology, to organize Anthropological museum and to obtain teaching materials for the Chair of anthropology in Moscow University. Initially it was not intended to demonstrate ethnographic materials independently, but combination of circumstances resulted in the fact that ethnography took a significant place in the exhibition. The concept of ethnographic exhibits layout and its importance for anthropological exposition on the whole are considered.

Keywords

anthropology, museology, exhibitions, museums, conception, ethnography, anniversary

Цит.: Balakhonova E.I. Russian Anthropological Exhibition: general concept and the place of ethnography // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2011; 1/2011; с. 4-15