On June 29, during City Night — which was held in Kirov for the first time and was dedicated to the 650th anniversary of the capital of the Vyatka region — the largest museum in the region, the local history museum, opened a unique exhibition "Keepers of Light" (0+).
Several dozen lighting devices from different eras and countries were placed within the interiors of the permanent historical exhibition. Visitors can not only examine them but also read about the history of each piece. Together they form a chronological picture of the development of lighting devices — the "keepers of light."
The oldest lamps in the exhibition are clay and oil lamps, including items from the museum's Chersonesus collection (1st–2nd centuries), from the cities of Suvar (Volga Bulgaria, 9th–13th centuries) and Khlynov. "It is especially interesting that the oil lamps from Suvar and Khlynov are very similar in construction," museum staff say.
The exhibition features rarities such as a 19th-century cast-iron candlestick, a candelabrum produced in Germany in the 1890s, and an early 19th-century silver candlestick made in Moscow.
Candleholders, wooden splinters used as torches, kerosene lamps, an unusual floor lamp–fireplace designed for carriage travel in cold weather, and much more — each of the lighting devices is unique and represents artistic and historical value.
To make the visit even more engaging, the organizers placed the "keepers of light" not in a single space as usual, but in different locations throughout the permanent exhibition. The lamps are equipped with special labels that help guests follow a kind of quest to see all the exhibits. During tours, guides dim the lighting in the halls to create a more authentic atmosphere.
The exhibition will remain open until September 22, when residents of Kirov will celebrate the historic birthday of Khlynov–Vyatka–Kirov.
