Course authors and lecturers

Aleksandr Igorevich Alferov

DLeading training specialist of the Communications and Mass Events department, Museums of Moscow museum association.

Aleksandr Immanuilovich Gref

Training specialist of "Na Vadkovskom" Children's Activity Center, creator and art director of "Vagrant Booth" Puppet show, "Vagrant Booth" Puppet show.

Svetlana Yuryevna Skilova

Senior Research Associate of Communications and Mass Events Department, Museums of Moscow museum association.

Elena Anatolyevna Slonimskaya

Teacher of "Na Vadkovskom" Children's Activity Center, actress, "Vagrant Booth" Puppet show.

Aleksandr Gennadyevich Afanasyev

Senior Research Associate of Archeology Museum of Moscow department, Museums of Moscow museum association.

About the course

The Russian izba is the foundation of our culture. We all come from a village, regardless of whether we want it or not. Urban life rent us away from our roots and it seems that the world of the Russian izba has nothing to do with urban residents. If we look into the past together, not only will we see the dwellings of our ancestors, but we will learn what their everyday life was like, including leisure time; we will talk about Russian toys, Russian puppet shows. You will learn what a sink of iniquity is and who Petrushka is – one of the most ancient and mysterious characters of world puppet shows and, perhaps, theater culture as a whole.

Course structure

1. From a dugout to an izba.

2. Building wooden houses.

3. First we judge "how nice".

4. Domestic culture of medieval Rus, household items, leisure.

5. The world of childhood in a medieval Russian house.

6. National puppet show in Russia.

Purpose of the course

Children together with their parents will learn about the traditions and customs, daily and festive living conditions of the Russian Middle Ages, look at it as a modern human. You have an opportunity to learn centuries-old ways of creating traditional puppets, become familiar with Russian culture through practical skills and crafts, form an image of organization and wise arrangement of the interior of a traditional dwelling.

Required qualifications

The course is designed for children and their parents, teachers and anyone interested in traditional culture.

Course results

Becoming familiar with traditional culture of Russia, obtaining historical and ethnographical knowledge through communication and play.