Film about Anna Zelenova tells the history of Pavlovsk Palace and its “blockade” director

January 26, 2015 at 13.30, the Presidential Library Cinema Club will demonstrate the premiere and organize a discussion of the documentary directed by Igor Smirnov, "Anna Zelenova. The fate of the museum curator." The film is timed to the centenary of the legendary director of the State Museum "Pavlovsk" Anna Zelenova. It will be demonstrated as part of publishing and exhibition project "Restored Beauty", carried out by the Presidential Library and State Museum "Pavlovsk" the year of the 70th anniversary of Victory. Screening of the film is also timed to the Day of complete lifting of the blockade of Leningrad. The demonstration will be attended by veterans of Pavlovsk.

... Zelenova came here to work as a tour guide when she was very young and instantly knew that she had found her place in life. In August 1941, she was appointed acting director of the palace complex. Thus, she had to shoulder all the problems associated with the rescue and evacuation of the exhibits on the eve of the invasion of German troops in Pavlovsk. Anna organized transportation of some of the exhibits to St. Isaac's Cathedral in Leningrad; the other part was shipped by rail to Siberia. During the siege Zelenova, like many other members of the suburban museums, spent a lot of time in the basement of St. Isaac's Cathedral, preserving and saving valuable exhibits.

Anna Zelenova had been a permanent director of the museum from 1941 to 1979, all 900 blockade days sheworked in Leningrad in the conditions of a front city. After the expulsion of the invading troops from the suburbs of Leningrad, she managed the restoration of the Pavlovsk palace and park facilities.

The film tells the story of revival of the Pavlovsk Palace and park through the prism of the tragic fate of Anna Zelenova. The core of the film is represented by video interviews with people who knew her. The film also raises a layer of problems related to the implementation of the post-war restoration works.

The film has been awarded diplomas of the winners of the XVI International Festival of Films and Television Programs "Radonezh», VII International Candlemas Orthodox Film Festival "Vstrecha», VI Festival of Christian Cinema 2012 "Nevsky church bells», XI Kiev International Documentary Film Festival "Film Chronicle."

To attend the meeting of the Cinema Club, please pre-register:

Elena Smolina, smolina@prlib.ru, tel.: (812) 305-16-35, 8 (921) 594-16-13

Accreditation for media representatives is till 10.00, January 25:

Press service of the Presidential Library: Natalia Korkonosenko, korkonosenko@prlib.ru, tel.: (812) 305-16-21, ext. 265, mob. +7 (921) 427-86-48.

The letter must specify the name, date and place of birth, full passport details (series, number, where, by whom and when issued), place of registration, the equipment to be used, contact numbers.

Please note that media representatives should enter the Presidential Library through entrance number 2 showing their passports!