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Romanov News Новости Романовых By Ludmila & Paul Kulikovsky №120 March 2018 Alexander II Tsar-Liberator The press conference about the exhibition "Alexander II Liberator. On the 200th anniversary of his birth." March 12, a press conference dedicated to the State Historical Museum exhibition of the "Alexander II Liberator. On the 200th anniversary of his birth" was held in TASS head office in Moscow. The State Historical Museum on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Alexander II will present the first large-scale monographic exposition dedicated to the activities of the Emperor, which should return to the Russian society the memory of this outstanding statesman. The exposition will be open from April 4 to October 15. The press conference was attended by Alexey K. Levykin, Director of the Historical Museum; Andrey D. Yanovsky, Deputy Director for Research; Konstantin I. Mogilevsky, Executive Director of the Fund "History of the Fatherland"; Evgeniy V. Pchelov, PhD (History), Archival Institute of the RSUH; Paul E. Kulikovsky, great-great-great-grandson of Emperor Alexander II; Prince George A. Yurievsky, great- grandson of Emperor Alexander II; Sergey V. Mironenko, scientist Head of GARF; and Alexander A. Kastravets, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Metallurgic Company. After the introduction of the speakers, a 3 minutes video presenting the exhibition project "Alexander II the Liberator" was shown. Video - https://mediashm.ru/?p=13756#13756 "This is the first major monographic exhibition dedicated to Alexander II, not only in the Historical Museum, but also in our country," said Alexei Levykin, director of the State Historical Museum. He recalled that it was the Emperor Alexander in 1872 who decided to create the Historical Museum. According to Levykin, the exhibition about the Tsar-liberator is part of a series of projects related to the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the SHM in 2022. "We wanted to show not only the actions of Alexander II, but to trace the formation of his personality, to show him against the background of those global state tasks that the emperor had to solve throughout his life," the director of the SHM said. "He carried out his reforms under criticism from the left and the right; conservative side, and at the same time, not simply criticism from Russian liberals, but with active opposition from the emerging revolutionary movement. The result of all this was his tragic death, which was perhaps the decisive moment for further historical development of the country,"- said Levykin. The basis of the exhibition is the collection of Historical Museum. The Tsarskoe Selo Museum-Preserve lent two children's uniforms of the Tsar. The State Hermitage presented two uniforms that were on Alexander II during the assassination of terrorists Karakozov in 1866 and Solovyov in 1879. In addition, it will be possible to see a historical document - the constitution of Loris-Melikov, which the Emperor was to sign on the last day of his life, on March 1, 1881, and also a crystal cross made from the broken glass of the carriage of the Tsar. Konstantin Mogilevsky, executive director of the fund "History of the Fatherland" noted that the interest of society on the eve of the jubilee always increases and the task of historians, to bring to the society their opinions. Sergei Mironenko, the scientific director of the State Archives of the Russian Federation, called the exhibition unique, thanks to which historical documents "that are usually considered dry, can be of great interest." As an example, the historian pointed to the correspondence between Alexander II and his future morganatic wife Catherine Dolgorukova; it shows that behind the seemingly inexpressive Alexander II lies the fire-breathing volcano of feelings. Evgeny Pchelov, head of the department of the Historical and Archive Institute of the RSUH told that the figure of Alexander II is not fully appreciated by modern society. And yet, before the revolution, he was extremely popular, in tsarist Russia, most of the monuments were erected to him, and monuments stood all over the country, in ordinary villages and cities. They expressed the true attitude of the people towards their Liberator, especially many such monuments appeared in connection with the 50th anniversary of the abolition of serfdom. Today, not one of them has survived in Russia, monuments remain only in Helsinki and Sofia. The historian expressed the hope that such events as the exhibition "Alexander II Liberator. 200 years from the date of birth", will return the name of Emperor Alexander II to a number of great Russian rulers, great statesmen of Russia. Paul Kulikovsky said: "Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a pleasure to be here, to promote the coming major exhibition in the Historical Museum, dedicated to Emperor Alexander II, my great-great-great- grandfather, on the occasion of his 200 years birthday anniversary. Alexander II was born in Moscow, April 29, 1818. Some historians says he was born in the Nicholaevsky Palace in Moscow Kremlin - which unfortunately no longer exist. Also the monument to Alexander II inside Kremlin does no longer exist. One can only hope that at some point in time, these monuments to one of the greatest Russian rulers, will be recreated. Alexander Nicholaevich received a brilliant education and was properly the best prepared Ruler of Russia ever. About him was said - He did not want to seem better than he was, but was often better than he seemed. The reign of Alexander II was marked by many important reforms, with the most important being the "abolition of serfdom", on March 3rd, 1861. The success or failure of the reforms of Alexander II can be discussed forever, but the glory of carrying them out unconditionally belongs to our hero. To these great achievement can be added military victories, and favourable treaties, that significantly expanded the empire. Alexander II personally participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, and his victory lead to the re-establishment of Bulgaria as a state. In addition, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro could claim independence from the Ottoman Empire. He was really "The Tsar-Liberator", at home and abroad. Instead of gratitude, terrorists hunted him for many years. By the will of fate, he was destined to pay for the freedom given to the people, by his own blood. On the life of Alexander II, six attempts were made, and on the seventh, God called his servant Alexander Nicholaevich home - on March 13, 1881, tomorrow it is 137 years ago - Eternal memory! Had he not been killed, I am sure his signature on the "Constitutional project" would have made people call him "the Great" - the third of the Romanovs, after Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. This is one of great tragedies in Russian history. There are in world history few rulers, to whom grateful contemporaries would put on their own initiative more than a 100 monuments, and 50 years later even more - but to the Tsar-Liberator they did! The situation today is completely different. Many people do not know about the glory he brought to Russia. I see the coming exhibition as an important step in correcting this situation. There people will have access to the real things, and have plenty of time to study and learn. I have great expectations to the exhibition, as it is promising to present the main events of the 25 years reign of the Tsar-Liberator, as well as tell about the person - crowned and anointed by God. It is certainly needed and it is about time. Let me add some words about myself - I am a descendant of Emperor Alexander II, via his son Emperor Alexander III. Alexander III's youngest daughter Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna married Nicholai Alexandrovich Kulikovsky. Their youngst son Gury Nicholaevich Kulikovsky is my grandfather. I am born in Canada, grew up in Denmark, but is now living in Moscow, Russia. Where I arrived in 2008. I am the first and so far the only descendant of the imperial Romanov family who came to Russia after the 1917-revolution, to live and work. My family's relations to Historical Museum have always been close. It all started with Emperor Alexander II's order in February 1872 to create the museum, and with Alexander III opening it in 1883. Over time, many family members have helped the museum, donated artifacts and entire collections. Since my arrival in Russia, I have found it only natural to continue this cooperating with Historical Museum and have since participated in several projects. For me the highlights have been - In 2008, when I sponsored the recreation of the Romanov Coat-of- arms over the entrance to the Romanov Boyar House on Varvarka Street, a branch of Historical Museum, and in 2009 another Romanov Coat-of-arms over its balcony. 2009 was a special event, as it marked the Romanov Boyar house's 150 year anniversary as a museum - which by the way was also created by Alexander II and already in 1859. In 2013, to the celebrations of the 400 years anniversary of the first Romanov's ascension to the throne, I sponsored the creation of silk fabric for the walls in the refectory in the Romanov Boyar House. An event which was also attended by my cousin HSH Prince George Alexandrovich Yurievsky. And in 2017, we held the book launch of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna's memoires "25 chapters of my life" in Historical Museum. This year we are very happy to help with the coming exhibition dedicated to Emperor Alexander II. This will be one of the major Romanov related events this year and we are looking forward to the opening in April.