An exhibition titled "Adventures of the Russian Proverb" has opened in Bolshoye Boldino.

      In the A.S. Pushkin Museum-Reserve in Bolshoye Boldino, an exhibition titled "Adventures of the Russian Proverb" (12+) has opened, dedicated to the 225th anniversary of V.I. Dal. The interregional exhibition project is implemented in collaboration with the State Museum of the History of Russian Literature named after V.I. Dal as part of the national project "Youth and Children" with the support of the "History of the Fatherland" foundation.

      "Adventures of the Russian Proverb" is an exhibition for the whole family: interactive elements, live word, a journey across Russia. It is symbolic that it starts in Boldino, on Pushkin's birthday and the Day of the Russian Language. The exhibition is dedicated to Dal, a friend of the poet, and the creator of the "Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language"—a work unparalleled in world practice, the significance of which for Russian literature is hard to overestimate," noted Dmitry Bak, director of the State Museum of the History of Russian Literature named after V.I. Dal.

      The exposition, which includes about 90 authentic items, is built in the genre of "travel"—in exact accordance with Vladimir Dal's life credo: "All my life I sought the opportunity to travel across Russia...". This geography becomes the main plot line. Visitors will see the many-faced Dal: a student of Dorpat University, a participant in the Khiva campaign, a civil servant, a botanist, a Turkologist, and an author of original literary fairy tales. Biographical collisions are illustrated with engravings and watercolors from the 19th century from the collection of the State Museum of the History of Russian Literature named after V.I. Dal.

      Central to the exposition are the "Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language" and the collection "Proverbs of the Russian People." The exhibition offers a chance to "immerse" oneself in living speech—from folk terminology to riddles and anecdotes. Proverbs become semantic keys to the fate of Vladimir Dal—this technique was also used by the collector himself, weaving folk sayings into fairy tales and even into a zoology textbook. Interactive modules allow each guest to create their own dictionary entry, get acquainted with the folklore traditions of the regions on the map of Russia, and, like Dal, construct a unified narrative from proverbs.

      "It is a great honor for us to host such a significant project dedicated to the memory of Vladimir Ivanovich Dal—a man of remarkable fate and an outstanding figure in Russian culture. This project is a true journey into the world of folk wisdom, which is so close and dear to each of us. The museum-reserve 'Boldino' always strives to introduce visitors to the richness of Russian literature and culture. We are confident that the exposition will be a true discovery for our guests and will help preserve the living connection of times, linking the past with the present through the eternal values of folk wisdom and love for the native, including Pushkin's word," said Nina Zhirkova, director of the State Literary-Memorial and Natural Museum-Reserve A.S. Pushkin "Boldino."

      The exhibition will be available for visiting in the museum's exhibition hall until August 9. Afterwards, the exposition will be shown at the State Memorial Historical-Literary Museum-Reserve F.I. Tyutchev "Ovstug." It is accessible via the "Pushkin Card."

      Let us remind you that the "Pushkin Card" program operates as part of the national project "Family," which started in Russia in 2025 on the initiative of President Vladimir Putin. Any citizen of Russia aged 14 to 22 can obtain a virtual card in the Gosuslugi.Culture app. The card limit is 5000 rubles, which is renewed every year on January 1. The money can be spent on visiting museums, theaters, exhibitions, concerts, and cinemas across the country. The event schedule is available on the Culture.RF website. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.