The All-Russian scientific conference “Russian North-2020: issues of studying and preserving historical and cultural heritage” was launched at the Vologda State University.
The conference brought together experts in cultural studies, art historians, artists, and museum workers from Vologda, Totma, Veliky Ustyug, Arkhangelsk, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and the Moscow region.
This event is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the outstanding artist from the town of Totma, Feodosiy Vakhrushov (1870-1931). Alexey Novoselov, the head of the Totma Museum Association, spoke about the original talent of the master of the brush: “Feodosiy Vakhrushov is a man who embodies the image of a patriot of his native land, versatile connoisseur of a vast variety of subjects”.
The artist was gifted in many areas: he painted landscapes of the River Sukhona, tried to save the destroyed churches, was a member of the first local history association of Totma, helped museums, went on local lore expeditions, played in the local theater, designed decorations for performances.
Vakhrushev was educated at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts. He was a student of outstanding masters such as Ilya Repin. He lived for a long time in Tsarskoye Selo, worked in Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and St. Petersburg, but on his own will he returned to Totma, where he lived for almost two decades and made a huge contribution to the cultural life of the region.
“Vakhrushev readings” will also be held as part of the conference. The artist’s works will be on exhibition. During the celebration of his anniversary the album “Feodosiy Vakhrushov: freedom to be yourself” will be presented.