Lecture on Cinema Memorial Plaques in St. Petersburg

Small memorial plaques are full-fledged works of monumental and decorative art. These objects are part of the collection of the State Museum of Urban Sculpture. Of special interest are plaques about Leningrad and St. Petersburg filmmakers, which together form a unique «film chronicle» of the city.

One example is a commemorative sign on building No. 6 on Mira Street in the Petrogradsky District. It is installed in honor of director Sergei Gerasimov and actress Tamara Makarova. Gerasimov, a People«s Artist of the USSR, though born in Chelyabinsk Oblast, and Makarova, born in St. Petersburg, both taught at VGIK (the All-Russian State University of Cinematography) and were buried in Moscow. However, part of their lives is closely connected with Leningrad.

The married couple lived in this building from 1935 to 1941. Their joint work on the film «Masquerade» was completed the day before the start of the Great Patriotic War. Sergei Gerasimov, together with Mikhail Kalatozov, created the first film in cinema history about the war, dedicated to Leningrad, and Tamara Makarova played one of the main roles in it.

Memorial plaques made of granite, marble, and bronze remind us of many other outstanding directors, actors, and screenwriters. Art historian Ekaterina Shishkina, curator of the «Memorial Plaques» collection at the State Museum of Urban Sculpture, will present this «facade film chronicle» during a special lecture.

The event, titled «Facade Film Chronicle,» is scheduled for February 5. It will be held at the Mayakovsky Library at 44 Fontanka River Embankment (Media Hall). Starting at 7:00 PM. Admission is free, registration is required via TimePad. Age restriction: 16+.