About the Museum
The creation of our interactive museum
About The museum's creation
The main focus of our Museum is Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Despite the passage of time, she remains one of the most enigmatic figures on the Russian throne, often overshadowed by more prominent personalities in Russian and European history
The bicentennial anniversary of Empress Maria Alexandrovna’s birth is a perfect opportunity to breathe new life into the study of her remarkable life and impact, not just on Russia but beyond. Some of her contemporaries praised her wisdom and statesmanship, likening her to Catherine the Great, while others criticized her, dismissing her as mediocre and unremarkable
One thing is certain: Empress Maria Alexandrovna never left anyone indifferent. Her bold thinking, unwavering principles, significant achievements, practical business sense, generous spirit, sincere faith, and acceptance of divine will made her a compelling figure, capturing the interest and admiration of both her contemporaries and future generations…
The virtual museum "Empress Maria Alexandrovna: Vita Nuova" will introduce you to the enigmatic fate of this remarkable historical figure
About the Museum's Creation
The idea of creating a museum dedicated to Empress Maria Alexandrovna isn't new. Her son, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich (1857-1905), is believed to have envisioned such a historical and cultural center. As the Governor-General of Moscow, Sergei Alexandrovich initiated the first steps by gathering archival collections related to his mother. Thanks to his efforts, items like Princess Marie of Hesse's childhood notebooks and her early letters are now preserved in Moscow.
Building a museum is a monumental and challenging task. Our virtual museum is an effort to take this vision further by providing a platform that shares the captivating story of Empress Maria Alexandrovna—not just as an empress but as a woman who exemplified the "Russian dream." Visitors can explore a biographical calendar, watch video materials, and attend lectures.
This museum also aims to be a hub for experts, uniting researchers who study various aspects of the empress's life and work. It's a space for dialogue about Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
We're launching this museum in the year of her 200th birthday, giving her story "a new life|Vita Nuova."
Building a museum is a monumental and challenging task. Our virtual museum is an effort to take this vision further by providing a platform that shares the captivating story of Empress Maria Alexandrovna—not just as an empress but as a woman who exemplified the "Russian dream." Visitors can explore a biographical calendar, watch video materials, and attend lectures.
This museum also aims to be a hub for experts, uniting researchers who study various aspects of the empress's life and work. It's a space for dialogue about Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
We're launching this museum in the year of her 200th birthday, giving her story "a new life|Vita Nuova."
About the Museum's Creator
Dr. Irek Suleymanov is a scholar with a focus on education, as well as a Germanist and a public lecturer. He has authored over 30 academic and popular science works. He is a member of the Russian Union of Germanists and the Russian Association of Researchers of Women's History.
Since 2017, Irek Suleymanov has been dedicated to deciphering and translating the writings of the Romanov family members, particularly the Hesse-born princesses: Empress Maria Alexandrovna, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. He is currently a doctoral candidate at the Russian State University for the Humanities (Department of World History), where he studies the loyalty, identity, and ethnicity of the Hesse princesses in the Romanov Dynasty.
Since 2017, Irek Suleymanov has been dedicated to deciphering and translating the writings of the Romanov family members, particularly the Hesse-born princesses: Empress Maria Alexandrovna, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. He is currently a doctoral candidate at the Russian State University for the Humanities (Department of World History), where he studies the loyalty, identity, and ethnicity of the Hesse princesses in the Romanov Dynasty.
Dr. Suleymanov has created a series of popular lectures titled "Empress Maria Alexandrovna: Letters and Life." He also runs a bilingual Telegram channel called "Weekend Historian": [https://t.me/MariaAlexandrowna](https://t.me/MariaAlexandrowna).
In 2023, he took part in a residency at the "Peredelkino" House of Creativity, focusing on translating the correspondence between Empress Maria Alexandrovna and King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He has also contributed to international exhibitions organized by the Elisavetinsky-Sergievsky Enlightenment Society, such as "Hessian Princesses in Russian History" and "Hessian Princesses: Traditions of Upbringing and Education in Russia and Germany, 1840-1918."
Dr. Suleymanov is currently preparing his book, "Empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824-1880): A Brief Biography," for publication by the Elisavetinsky-Sergievsky Enlightenment Society.
Awards:
- The Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna Award from the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society
- The Elisavetinsky-Sergievsky Enlightenment Society Award
In 2023, he took part in a residency at the "Peredelkino" House of Creativity, focusing on translating the correspondence between Empress Maria Alexandrovna and King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He has also contributed to international exhibitions organized by the Elisavetinsky-Sergievsky Enlightenment Society, such as "Hessian Princesses in Russian History" and "Hessian Princesses: Traditions of Upbringing and Education in Russia and Germany, 1840-1918."
Dr. Suleymanov is currently preparing his book, "Empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824-1880): A Brief Biography," for publication by the Elisavetinsky-Sergievsky Enlightenment Society.
Awards:
- The Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna Award from the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society
- The Elisavetinsky-Sergievsky Enlightenment Society Award
Acknowledgments
I owe my interest in Empress Maria Alexandrovna and the study of her written legacy to the support of my friends and colleagues at the Elisavetinsky-Sergievsky Enlightenment Society, particularly Dr. Anna Vitalievna Gromova. It was an exhibition organized by the society, dedicated to the Hessian princesses, that first drew me into Maria Alexandrovna's world of letters.
Soon after, with the encouragement of Professor Natalia Vasilievna Rostislavleva from the Russian State University for the Humanities, I delivered my first public lecture, "Empress Maria Alexandrovna: Letters and Life."
This fascinating journey into the legacy of Empress Maria Alexandrovna has been, and will continue to be, enriched by many like-minded individuals, collaborators, mentors, senior colleagues, and friends. A heartfelt thank you to all of you!
Soon after, with the encouragement of Professor Natalia Vasilievna Rostislavleva from the Russian State University for the Humanities, I delivered my first public lecture, "Empress Maria Alexandrovna: Letters and Life."
This fascinating journey into the legacy of Empress Maria Alexandrovna has been, and will continue to be, enriched by many like-minded individuals, collaborators, mentors, senior colleagues, and friends. A heartfelt thank you to all of you!
FAQ
We hope this section helps you find the answers you're looking for and makes your visit to our virtual museum even more enjoyable!
General Information
It's a virtual museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Emperor Alexander II. Here, you'll find information about her life, her work, and her impact on Russian and European history.
Maria Alexandrovna (born Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine) was the wife of Russian Emperor Alexander II and the mother of Emperor Alexander III. She is widely recognized for her charitable work, her dedication to acts of compassion, and her deep religious faith.
Lectures
Yes, we plan to hold lectures both online and in-person at our partner venues.
Absolutely, you can arrange for lectures to suit your needs. For more information, please contact us via email.
Use of Content
Yes, you can use the museum content, but please be sure to credit the source. Note that some sections of the museum may specify a recommended citation link.
Collaboration
You can reach out by sending an email to irek.t.suleymanov@gmail.com
Yes, we would be happy to consider your contributions. Please email us with details about the materials you would like to offer.
