State Museum of Vladimir Mayakovsky

The State Museum of Vladimir Mayakovsky was opened in 1974 in the building where the poet lived and worked from 1919 to 1930. The basis of its collection was formed from the stocks of the Library-Museum named after Mayakovsky that had been functioning since 1938. While Mayakovsky was a prominent representative of avant-guard art, the Museum dedicated to his live and creativity was designed not to the classic museum canons. The building was decorated in postmodern style. Prominent artists, architects and designers of the 20th century used a new method of the organization of the space making a visitor a co-author and participant of the museum action. In the museum one wouldn't find traditional exhibition halls with glass show-cases and ranged exhibits. The museum space was to remind the Labyrinth of Life, heart of which is the «Boat Room», the poet's memorial room. The hall devoted to the birth and youth of Mayakovsky recreates the house where the future poet was born and the grammar school Vladimir went to. A hanging giant jug of wine attracts visitors' attention. According to the ancient Georgian traditions (Mayakovsky was born in Georgia) when a child was born the family filled a jug with wine and pitted it. When the child came of age relatives and friends were invited to drink it. The memorial room of Mayakovsky is situated on the forth floor of the Museum in the former communal flat. The poet who hated petty bourgeoisie culture and way of life couldn't stand useless luxury and had only the most necessary things. The recreated furnishing of modest 20 sq. m. large room where the poet lived for 11 years eloquently witnessed it. Nowadays the collection of the unique Museum numbers over 50,000 exhibits; notebooks and manuscripts of Mayakovsky, his letters, private belongings, unique things (like the wedding ring of poet's mother and his grandfather's sabre), original furniture, books by and about Mayakovsky and many other worth watching things. The Museum of Vladimir Mayakovsky regularly holds poetical and musical evenings, meeting with writers and actors. On the scene of the Theatre of Poets writers Voznesensky, Evtushenko, Akhmadulina, Iskrenko, singers Dolina, Bachurin, Kochetkov, actors Gaft, Kazakov, Yursky and others performed. The Museum also houses a cinema hall where visitors can see films with Mayakovsky.