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Omsk
Everyone who
has once visited Omsk notices its openness, breadth and peculiarity. The city on the banks of the Irtish and Om rivers is beautiful
and sweeping in a Siberian manner.A beautiful site was chosen for the new fortress by the guardsman of Peter the Great
I.Buchholz, when in spring of 1716 he and his detachment made a landing on the shore of
the free Irtish, in the place where this powerful Siberian river takes the quiet Om into its
broad riverbed. According to the edict of the tsar Peter the Great and his deputy in Siberia prince Gagarin, pioneers erected here the fortification to guard the south Russian borders. Thus was founded the town, which in our days became the largest industrial and cultural center of Siberia.
No trace was left of wooden fortress — primogenitor of the town. But the ancient stone
houses and the entrance fortress gates on the right bank of the river Om, where it flows into the Irtish, still keep the voices of the remote past. Right here in the 1760s, when the wooden buildings of the first Omsk fortress became dilapidated, a new fortification was founded, this time built of stone.
In 1782 the fortress settlement was given the name of a town. Among inhabitants of
this town were merchants, artisans, officials, but most people were the military. In 1812 battalions of the 24th Siberian division went to fight with Napoleon. Many of them died the death of brave on the Borodino field. The Shirvansky musketeer regiment units guarding the borders of Omsk fortress also distinguished themselves in the fights with Frenchmen. Later the heros and participants of that war served in Omsk. At different times the post of West Siberian Governor-general was held by P. Kaptsevich and G. Husford. During that time the town grew considerably, was decorated with gardens and sturdy stone buildings. In the 1820s Omsk was lined with buildings by the project of the famous Russian engineer V.Geste. Since that time the central architectural ensemble of the town began to take shape. One of the Omsk central buildings became the palace of Governor-general. In celebration days the tricolor flag appeared on the tower. From this tower the young town was viewed by many guests — well-known scientists, diplomats and travellers. They could see new squares, wooden houses with mezzanines and galleries, the broad Irtish, ships, fresh green Lyuba's Grove and the fortress with mighty belfry of Voskresensky Cathedral. The military significance of Omsk determined the fates of many Russians. We are not sure if the famous horses of talented sculptor Peter Klodt could appear on the Anitchkov Bridge in Petersburg without his Omsk experiences. Because here in Omsk a gifted boy fell for horses — these proud and beautiful animals. The fame found him in the Northern capital but here in Omsk, far away from European artistic world, for the first time baron Klodt felt the desire to learn curving, modelling and studying horses.
The fortress is the historical heart of Omsk. At present we can find here the buildings
of different epochs: Catherine the Great baroque of the former guardhouse (the Regional
Military Registration and Enlistment Office now) stands next to red-brick facades of the
beginning of the 20th century buildings, severe forms of Military Assembly (House of
Officers) are close to modern volumes of the Dzherzhinsky Palace of Culture.
Many buildings in the fortress are connected with the name of the great Russian writer
F.Dostoevsky. First of all it's the house of commandant, where in 1990 was placed the
Dostoevsky Literary Museum.
The former drill ground is now occupied by the cosy shady public garden. Being in the
fortress you can't but remember the events which became the Omsk history milestones. In
1856 Mikhail Vrubel, the great painter born in Omsk, was baptized in the fortress
Soboro-Voskresenskaya Church. Omsk Fine Arts Museum bears his name now. Mikhail
Vrubel was around three when his father took him away from Omsk. But it's quite possible
that his childish impressions revealed themselves at his mature age. It's no doubt Vrubel saw a lot in his native town. Among that lot a huge to him Cossack Nikolsky Cathedral in the garden of which the artist could have walked. "Its severe slim appearance" is very alike to its architectural brothers in Petersburg. And it's quite explicable because the Cathedral was built by the famous architect V.Stasov's drawings, who built a lot in the city on the banks of Neva.
In 1894 when the railroad came to Omsk it was called the Gates of Siberia. The Great
Siberian Track made the economic contacts of business men more active and easier, by
connecting Omsk with Moscow, Petersburg and Far East. The representatives of famous
Russian and foreign firms came to the far Siberian town. Due to this Omsk started intensive construction of imposing buildings: banks, shops, apartments and offices.
In our days the work of organizations responsible for the keeping of Omsk antique
memorials became animated, there appeared enthusiasts-students of local lore, whose opin-
ion is considered by the community. The city's department of architecture lead by A.Karimov has provided the restricted areas where the erection of new buildings is strictly regulated.
One of such areas are the Cossack suburb. Each house here has its unique history. On
Pochtovaya street remained some ancient houses, among them No, 27 — the Khiebnikovs
house where Omsk artists are working now. Durable house with a verandah facing the gar-
den, with carved laurel branches on the front door and frieze reflected the taste of his owner — the famous public figure, lawyer Arseny Khiebnikov. In the beginning of the 20-s this house was visited by the talented youth, among them was young Vissarion Shebalin, who
performed many of his works in this house on Pochtovaya for the first time.
Next is another famous building, No. 30 on Krasnykh Zor street, former Nikolsky
avenue. Here lived our famous fellow-townsman prominent contemporary poet Leonid
Martynov. We can entitle the book of his memoirs "The Aerial Frigates" the Omsk ency-
clopaedia of the first half of the 20th century. His love to the town was active, his interest to its history and its present was real. He saw Omsk change its image during the 20-s, 30-s,
40-s and he believed in its future. "This town standing on the border of Kazakhstan and
Siberia, town where January frosts resemble Arctic and June heat resembles Middle Asia.
This town above quiet Om has grown during last 20 years" — wrote Martynov in his book
"the Fortress on Om".
Forever will remain in the history of WW II the names of its heros. The name of Dmitry
Karbyshev, our fellow-countryman, Omsk Military School graduate, man of great strength
became a legend. 134 Omsk citizens were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
During this time the city 2,5 thousand kilometers away from Moscow was hosting the
evacuees from Leningrad and other front-line towns and cities. Sharing bread and shelter
with them. Omsk received industrial enterprises from the Ukraine, turned its cultural places into hospitals. 37 hospitals were opened and each third Omsk dweller became a
blood-donor during the war.
There almost was no civil construction during the war. On the vacant lots were urgently
erected shops of military plants. In those days started their activities the Baranov motor
works, the Oktyabtskaya Revolution tank plant, Omsk tyre plant and many others, turning
Omsk into large industrial center of Siberia. The builders lived in barracks which disappeared totally only in the 70s.
In the 50-s-60-s in the North West of Omsk due to the construction of the first
Siberian oil refinery grew the town of oil industry workers. This town appeared on the spot which since the 18th century occupied "the quiet little village of Zakhlamino, surrounded by the windmills" as wrote I.Belov in his "Travel Notes and Impressions of Western Siberia" in the 1850s. A new city was created designed, by the indivisible architect-artistic project (the Vesniny Brothers architectural-planning workshop).
The idea of the city-garden presented for the first time in 1919 by the engineer
D.Werner was incarnated in the end of the 50-s, when the city was all in green and the
lawns of parks and public gardens were filled with exotic flora.
Many interesting buildings appeared in Omsk during last decades. Among the buildings
which enriched the city's panorama we can enumerate the Trade Center, the builders of
which were awarded the State prize in 1968, the Pushkin Scientific Library (architects
Y.Zakharov, G.Narizyna, T.Moraz, I.Lubchich) on the Krasny Put street. Omsk architects are trying to form the complete ensembles, they attach great importance to the moulding of
building's silhouette, use widely the natural factors in their creative plans. And at the same
time they don't forget the antiquity and understand the necessity of its preservation.
The city cherishes its past. The architects and antiquity lovers restored the
Serafimo-Alexeevskaya Chapel which even now is surrounded by numerous legends. One of
them tells that the Chapel was built in 1908 to memorize the birth of the Cesarevitch Alexei. Another tells that it was built to memorize the soldiers killed in Russian war with Japan. The chapel was torn down in the 1920-s and was rebuilt brick by brick by the project and super vision of artist V.Desyatov.
You can meet the history of Omsk not only on the
streets of the city. It lives in the
museums, in the inspirational works of Omsk artists, actors and history
scientists.
Omsk museum of local lore, history and economy is the oldest in Siberia.
It was found-
ed in 1878 by the famous Siberian scientists, explorers and public figures:
M.Pevtsov,
G.Potanin, N.Yadrintsev, I.SIovtsov.
In 1923 the museum was granted with the best building of the city, the
former palace
of governor-general, and in the middle of eighties the museum moved to a
new building,
built by the special project in Lenin street. The museum depositories are
filled with more
than 250.000 unique items telling about the history of the land, about its
nature, its culture.
Each visit to the museum is a joy of knowing your past, modern life of
your native city,
a joy of meeting professionals, a joy of joining to the tense spiritual
activity of enthusiasts.
In 1924 the Vrubel Museum of Fine Arts was established as the art
department of the
museum of local lore, history and economy. Its collection includes
paintings, drawings,
sculptures and works of arts and crafts. The pride of the museum
collection make canvases
by Russian artists I.Repin, V.Serov, I.Shishkin, V.Surikov, I.Levitan.
Spectators are always
attracted by the Russian avant-garde collection: N.Goncharova, M.Larionov,
V.Kandinsky,
A.Yavlensky, members of "Jack of Diamonds". Omsk museum is the
only museum in Siberia
which owns works by great painter M.Vrubel — who was born in Omsk.
The former general-governor palace is very beautiful but too small for the
huge muse-
um collection and that's why the new building — the former trade house
built in 1914 by the architect A.Kryachkov and restored by the Omsk specialists — was granted
for that collection. Recently museum moved to that new building. There is enough space
now to exhibit icons, Siberian tumuli gold, Faberge jewelry, glass and ceramics items
which for many long years were kept in its depositaries.
Five years ago in Omsk appeared the memorial museum of the Peoples Artist
of Russia
Kondraty Belov. It is placed in the old wooden house and is the bright
example of the city's
care for its talented sons — for carpenters who built this house, for
its former owner
F.Stumpf. This house became the memorial of wooden architecture. It's
filled with warm
atmosphere of cosiness. The artist's atelier is in one of the rooms on the
second floor. From
the pictures look faces of kinfolk and friends of Kondraty Belov. You can
see here his
palette, his easel with unfinished work of the master. On the rag we can
see his hat, coat,
walking stick... These things create the feeling of artist's presence here,
next to you. In the evenings the museum turns into musical- poetical drawing-room. The
Dostoevsky Literature Museum is also one of the city's memorial museums. Until recently it was
the department of the Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy but now it's the independent
scientific literature center. Here you are absorbed into another world, into years when
FyodorDostoevsky was the Omsk convict, when worked P.Dravert and Anton Sorokin,
when there appeared Vsevolod Ivanov's first works, when Leonid Martynov wrote his
books, when in the 60-s Leonid Ivanov astonished everyone with his knowledge of rural life,
when Timofey Belozerov wrote his fine children's poems.
Omsk artists show their love to the city in their own picturesque way. We
can easily
recognize the brush of our popular artists K.Belov, K.Chshekotov, V.Volkov,
T.Kozlov,
P.Mukhin and try to understand the canvases by N.Brukhanov, N.Tretyakov,
we always
admire landscapes by V.Kukuytsev, A.Sapozhnikov, I.Sevokhin, R.Cherepanov,
graphics by
Zheliostov, A.Chermoshentsev, talented works by Kichigin and others.
Though their works are different they all invite us to pay more attention to our native city,
show us its beauty.
A.Lieberov is the real singer of Siberian nature. His pastels are so deep
and so lyrical,
you can't take you eyes off of them. Many today's artists are his
apprentices. Alexey
Lieberov organized the artistic-graphic faculty of the Pedagogical
University, opened the
Lieberov centre.
Omsk dwellers and guests of Omsk are invited by exhibition halls of the
Omsk Artists'
Union, here you can also buy the pictures you like. More than 100 artists
are members of
the Union. But not all of them are able to find their own spectators.
According to this in 1991 by the City Administration was opened the municipal museum "Art of
Omsk".
The idea of Russia artistic culture development through all possible
assistance of
provincial artistic life, its special artistic aura was taken as a
principle. The author of this idea art critic V.Tchirkov has been studying the artistic "local spirit"
for many years and showed the unique city feature consisting of the powerful level of young artists
that didn't have until recently the output to a wide audience of spectators.
Best works by S.AIexandrov, M.Gerasimov, S.Tyrkov, A.Titov, N.Molodtsov,
G.Dashkova,
T.Koltyukhina, applied artist V.Novokshonov and others were collected.
Over 2000 exhibits in total.
The city has great scientific potential. The names of academician the
Honorary citizen
of Omsk V.Bisyarina, academician N.Milachshenko, corresponding member of
Medical
Academy L.Poluektov, Honorable Science and Technics Workers K.Artemiev,
T.AIexeeva,
D.Krinitsin, V.Mezentsev, K.Tolmachev, social anthropologist I.Tomilov are
well known in
Russia and abroad.
Omsk is theatrical city. It has 5 state and 3 municipal theatres for 1200
thousand city
dwellers. It's hard to buy tickets for many plays and today in the
developing market relations when many theatres in different cities close, here in Omsk in the
beginning of the nineties there opened 4 more theatres.
Theatricality of the city was formed by many generations of enthusiasts.
We can find its
sources in the fair show-booths and in the private theatre which appeared
in the Omsk
fortress by the order of the Siberian Corps commander lieutenant-general
I.Springer in 1764 "to polish young people". In winter 1764-65 there were staged
first plays and in the middle of the 19th century amateur plays were staged in Siberian Military School,
there also were performances in Omsk jail. Historians say that F.Dostoyevsky took part in
staging the play "Violet and Miroshka".
Today the leading city theatre — the Academic Drama Theatre occupies the
premises
built in 1904-1905 with the money gathered from the city dwellers. The
building was reconstructed many times and is an architectural monument now.
During different years Omsk Drama gave to Russia Vladimir Torsky, Vazlav
Dvorzhetsky,
Vladimir Rautbart, Spartak Mishurin, Mikhail Ulyanov. In recent years on
its stage shone the talents of People's artists Aleksey Teplov, Sergey Filippov, Nozhery
Tchonishvily, Alexander Shchegolev, Boris Kashihn. The theatre's "hours of triumph" was
the time when its artistic leaders were Yakov Kirzhner, Arthur Khaikin, and later Gennady
Trostenetsky. Exactly at that time the theatre discovered new authors, new plays, twice became the State
prize winner, was awarded the title of academic and Order of the Red Banner of Labour.
It's difficult to buy tickets to Omsk Drama. Not long ago the theatre
opened a chamber
stage, named after the People's artist of Russia, State prizes winner
Tatyana Ozhigova.
Since the middle of the eighties, when borders have been opened theatre
actively
invites foreign producers and often tours abroad. The theatre was invited
to the World
Theatre Festival, performed in Geneva, Warsaw and Poznan, in Remscheid,
got into close
creative contacts with the Milwaukee (USA) repertoire theatre. There are
international conferences and symposia at the theatre. But the main thing is that the theatre
is beloved by Omsk dwellers.
The former Operetta Theatre received the status of Musical Theatre in the
end of 1981
together with a new building erected in the center of the city by the
project of Moscow
architectural workshop.
The modern outward appearance, spacious foyers with pictures by the
leading city
painters, large but cosy auditorium, stage equipped with up-to-date sound
and light devices
create the special theatrical atmosphere.
But the essence is not in the building, it's in
the best creative traditions, in the cast.
There are about fifty soloists- vocalists in the cast and a perfect
orchestra in the theatre,
conducted by the chief conductor, Honoured Art Worker of Russia, Udmurtia
State prize winner E.Rozen. The ballet troupe created by the cares and endeavors of the
Honoured Art
Worker of Russia, honorary citizen of Omsk V.Tulupova was filled to great
extent by young graduates of specialized schools. The ballet is now lead by the
experienced master
S.Kolesnik. The theatre's chorus is multitudinous and harmonious thanks to
creative cares of the chief choirmaster T.Bobrova.
Having stable creative group, the theatre collected extensive repertoire
of different
genres. It includes the classic opera plays, ballets, operettas.
It's hard to find among the inhabitants of Omsk the person to whom the
Theatre of
Children and Youth is not familiar. Not so long ago it was called the
Theatre of Young
Spectators and its removal to the new building was a big event in the
cultural life of youth.
During last 10 years this theatre is headed by the artistic leader
V.Rubanov, who was
awarded the title of Honoured Art Worker of Russia Federation recently. He
has formed the troupe of really creative persons sharing the same views. Among them are
Honoured Artist of Russia V.Kiseleva, Honoured Culture Worker I.Abramov, leading actors
S.OIenberg, A.Goncharuk and many others.
It's always animated and merrily at the Theatre of puppet, actor and mask
"Harlequin".
It's the theatre for the smallest children, and they unlike adults don't
suppress their emotions and respond to everything happening on stage very spontaneous. Because
there are
fairy-tale's heroes from "Teremok", "Little Red Riding
Hood", "One Inch Maid", "Three Little Pigs", who play, live, struggle with evil and children want to help
them very much.
"Harlequin's" plays are known to both children and adults. Some
time ago the theatre
staged for them "Mess-Mend", and together with the musical
theatre presented them with
opera buffo "The Blue Beard".
The theatre owes its indubitable success to the leading actors-
puppeteers, Honoured
Artists of Russia Emira and Edward Urakov, actors Valery and Nina Isaev,
G.VIasov,
N.Kuznetsova, chief producer B.Salmachev, production designer O.Verevkina.
Four years ago enthusiasts who couldn't imagine their lives without a
theatre, headed
by S.Rudzinsky — young and with no doubt talented producer, staged their
first performance although they didn't have neither permanent place of their own, nor
necessary means. But their enthusiasm and professional skills were highly estimated by the
community and specta tors and the troupe became the federal Fifth Theatre.
The municipal theatre of drama and comedy the Gallery is young and
talented. It was
born due to the love to the theatre of a group of actors, unquestionable
organizing talent of its artistic leader V.Vitko and cares of the City Administration.
The theatre's orientation to the staging of home plays creates the
definite image, forms
the spectators' interest. The Gallery is always full and critics confirm
that "...it smells like
Russian spirit". Based on N.Leskov's work the musical play "Left-hander" was on
for some seasons. Very popular is fair-show based on the D.Averkin's play "Frol
Skobeev", filled with joy and popular humor; psychologically deep stage research by F.Dostoevsky
"Village
Stepantchikovo". The play "Uncle Vanya" is full of mild
Chekhov lyricism.
Its fifth anniversary season the theatre celebrated with the plays by
Sukhovo-Kobylin
"the Marriage of Kretchinsky" and "the Marriage of
Belugin" by A.Ostrovsky.
The name of Lyubov losifovna Yermolaeva is well known to Omsk
theatre-lovers. Over
30 years she was in charge of people's theatres of Agricultural University
and the Maluntsev palace of culture. Studiousness, ability to get people
"infected" with theatre, amazing responsiveness to the creative search — all that helped former amateurs
to become professional actors, poets, pressmen and simply people enamoured of
theatre. Only its first anniversary has celebrated in the 280th anniversary of the
city the experimental Lyceum Theatre. It's unique. It's headed by the Honored Artist of
Russia V.Reshetnikov. All directors pedagogues are highly professional persons
and the actors are the school children and pupils of Lyceums, learning theatrical secrets.
They are taught the basis of stage movements, speech, history and theory of theatre. During
last year they staged 4 new productions — one for each age group. They were shown at
best city stages and each meeting with spectators was a success.
The city is distinguished by its musicality. The city musical environment
is formed by
children art schools, the Shebalin Musical College, the Omsk State
Philharmonic Society with its wonderful symphony orchestra and the State Russian Peoples Chorus,
created in the
fifties by E.V.Kalugina — connoisseur and collector of folk song.
The musical enquiries of citizens were fully satisfied when in the
beginning of nineties
new city troupes were created. Among those were municipal brass band,
Russian chamber
orchestra "Lad", Russian folk dance ensemble "Irtish"
and the very young "Credo".
The special social-cultural milieu in the city is created by holidays.
Most of them were born in Omsk and became traditional. The most bright and light feeling of
life give the children's festival- concerts "the Glass Shoe" , the annual city
holiday "All Colors of the Rainbow".
And how wonderful are winter holidays with the bright sun and strong
Siberian frost! They include the New Year holiday with obligatory merry ice sledges and
fortresses, with troika rides and Siberian fun competitions, Shroventide with its fairs,
skomorokhs and traditional pancakes.
The City Day is of a special interest. It's held in the beginning of
August. All city parks of culture and rest with their carnival and concert programs take part in
this holiday. And finally the general fireworks prepared by special scenario finish the
holiday.
The Soul of Russia that's the name of a holiday born in 1992 on the City
Administration's initiative. It's the holiday of Russian original national
culture revival. This holiday includes creative meetings, scientific conferences on problems of
revival and development of national cultures, festive gatherings in the streets and many
concerts held by professionals and amateurs. The holiday of folklore song and dance which
became international
now is the organic part of it.
Everyone who has once visited Omsk notices its kind openness, breadth and
peculiarity.
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