“What’s the best way to spend a weekend after a hard school week?” – Last Saturday the staff of Charity Fund “The Happy Child” found a great answer to the question. On November 5, 2011, with the assistance of the administration of Zaporozhye Museum of Local History and St.Petersburg Museum of Wax, 31 children from large and low-income families visited unique exhibits and received a lot of educational and interesting information about their origins.
In Zaporozhye regional Museum of Local History children met with Taranenko Svetlana Vladimirovna. Entering the room, which holds exhibits of the Neolithic, Copper and Bronze Ages, young sightseers were transported to the past covered by many unsolved mysteries. Scientific researcher, and above all talented tour guide, started her story with a fascinating history of the first settlements, culture and traditions of the people who lived here in ancient times. Really feeling like young visitors from the future, with fascination children listened to stories told by the department manager, very carefully and with curiosity examined all the exhibits presented in the hall of archeology.
In large show-cases kids saw a lot of interesting pieces of art and everyday objects. All of which miraculously survived to this day. Stone and bone tools made by ancestors for hunting big game, painted ware from the Middle Ages, unique Scythian and Sarmatian jewelry - all these things continued to impress with its history not only children but also the adults who accompanied them.
Afterwards, not less interesting acquaintance awaited our little time travelers - Department of "Nature of Zaporozhye Region." In the halls: "Geological History of Zaporozhye region," "The Steppe", "Forest" and "Azov Sea" kids were able to see firsthand more than 1000 exhibits of plants, birds, fish and mammals. Of course, all kiddies were excited to see rare animals so close. Deer, elk, wild boars, raccoon dogs, marmots, pheasants – it’s impossible to name all, but all of which are so different and uniquely beautiful. Many are listed as endangered and live in protected wildlife sanctuaries. The exhibition includes an infinite number of fish: turbot, red-finned mullet, sturgeon, sea goby, sturgeon and beluga - all these species, as well as many other sub-species of fish live in the south of Ukraine - in the Azov Sea. With genuine interest children examined museum’s exhibits; it is the only place where kids had an opportunity to see everything at once and at such close distance.
Alena Vintovskaya prepared a pleasant surprise for the facilitator.
But what excursion will be complete without learning the history of Zaporozhye region? Entering a hall “Aleksandrovsk: city and its residents” kids were transported back to 19th beginning of 20th century. Mechanical piano, luxury seats, showcases and mirrors; classic design of that time and just everyday objects of city’s residents intensified the feeling of time travel hundred years into the past.
Piano – 19th century
Antique Gramophone
German Sewing Machine “Singer”
Our tour did not come to an end yet. Exhibit in St. Petersburg Museum of Wax, which will last through December 18th of this year, is incredibly unique. Obviously, we could not miss it and asked museum employees to invite us in. Gracious tour guides - Elena Toporova and Victoria Miroshnik- acquainted kids with meticulous and multiple-stage process of creating wax figures at the end of which each figure turns into an exact copy of a favorite theater and movie character or a famous historical personality. At the exhibit kids met with brave and daring musketeers, funny cartoon character Shrek, famous actor Adriano Celentano, a skillful deceiver and the conqueror of female hearts Giacomo Casanova, Russian public and political figure V. Putin and many other interesting “wax personalities”.
Portos, Aramis, Athos and D’Artagnan
Giacomo Casanova
...
Nicholas II
Harry Potter
Adriano Celentano
Can you guess who’s made of wax?
“The Happy Child” Fund needs support in expansion of sightseeing and educational programs for children. Here you can learn how to support this unique project.
