CHERVEN DISTRICT, 26 November (BelTA) – Belarus’ National Tourism Agency organized a seminar to explore the tourism potential of Cherven District in the town of Smilovichi, the birthplace of Chaim Soutine, one of the most famous artists of the Paris School. The seminar highlighted the efforts to maintain and promote Chaim Soutine’s cultural heritage.
L'Espace de Soutine Museum celebrates the life and work of the artist. The exhibition first opened back in 2008 at the Center for Children and Youth Creativity in Smilovichi. Unfortunately, almost nothing remains from the period when Chaim lived in Smilovichi (he was born into a large, poor Jewish family in 1893 and moved to France in 1913).
L'Espace de Soutine Museum celebrates the life and work of the artist. The exhibition first opened back in 2008 at the Center for Children and Youth Creativity in Smilovichi. Unfortunately, almost nothing remains from the period when Chaim lived in Smilovichi (he was born into a large, poor Jewish family in 1893 and moved to France in 1913).
“We gathered the information literally bit by bit from archives, and we managed to reconstruct the history of the Soutine family: who his parents and ancestors were. It was very difficult, but we found a way. We present household items from that era, tailoring tools (his father worked as a tailor), photographs, and reproductions of his works. One of the halls is styled like a Parisian café, where visitors are transported to the atmosphere of Parisian streets,” museum director Svetlana Khasenevich said.
Chaim's interest in art began at a young age. In Smilovichi, there is hope that some of his childhood works have been preserved somewhere and that they will come to see the light of day one day. Today, the artist's paintings sell for tens of millions of dollars at auctions. His works are kept in private collections around the world, with a larger portion located in the United States rather than in France where Chaim Soutine lived for 30 years. He was fortunate to achieve success during his lifetime. The least expensive of his works costs several hundred thousand dollars. Three of the artist's paintings are kept in Belarus.
Chaim's interest in art began at a young age. In Smilovichi, there is hope that some of his childhood works have been preserved somewhere and that they will come to see the light of day one day. Today, the artist's paintings sell for tens of millions of dollars at auctions. His works are kept in private collections around the world, with a larger portion located in the United States rather than in France where Chaim Soutine lived for 30 years. He was fortunate to achieve success during his lifetime. The least expensive of his works costs several hundred thousand dollars. Three of the artist's paintings are kept in Belarus.
“The dream of becoming an artist was so powerful that, despite all the prohibitions and ridicule, he became one, having traveled a difficult path,” Svetlana Khasenevich said, adding that Chaim's personality is surrounded by myths and legends.
The artist's life is inextricably linked to the history of the town's Jewish background. The museum displays a fragment of a 19th-century Torah scroll that was housed in the Smilovichi synagogue. It also showcases the works by young talents, based on Chaim's most famous paintings. “They are bright and unconventional. The children don't just copy Chaim Soutine; they draw using very interesting techniques. Since the museum is located in the Center for Children's Creativity, our kids are immersed in museum activities, participate in projects, and bring the characters from the portraits to life,” Svetlana Khasenevich said.
Smilovichi conducts commemorative events: exhibitions, meetings with art historians, and lessons dedicated to Chaim's life and his significance for world culture. Thanks to these efforts, the artist's legacy continues to inspire art enthusiasts.
The artist's life is inextricably linked to the history of the town's Jewish background. The museum displays a fragment of a 19th-century Torah scroll that was housed in the Smilovichi synagogue. It also showcases the works by young talents, based on Chaim's most famous paintings. “They are bright and unconventional. The children don't just copy Chaim Soutine; they draw using very interesting techniques. Since the museum is located in the Center for Children's Creativity, our kids are immersed in museum activities, participate in projects, and bring the characters from the portraits to life,” Svetlana Khasenevich said.
Smilovichi conducts commemorative events: exhibitions, meetings with art historians, and lessons dedicated to Chaim's life and his significance for world culture. Thanks to these efforts, the artist's legacy continues to inspire art enthusiasts.
In addition to the Chaim Soutine exhibition, there is a hall dedicated to Faïbich-Schraga Zarfin. These names have made Smilovichi a true cultural center in Cherven District and Minsk Oblast in general. The museum holds several original paintings. Visitors have the opportunity to view Faïbich-Schraga Zarfin’s palette and fabric samples created from his designs.
L'Espace de Soutine Museum was established on the initiative of the National Commission for UNESCO of the Republic of Belarus. it has drawn tens of thousands of tourists, including those from the CIS and other countries.
Photos by Tatiana Matusevich/BelTA
L'Espace de Soutine Museum was established on the initiative of the National Commission for UNESCO of the Republic of Belarus. it has drawn tens of thousands of tourists, including those from the CIS and other countries.
Photos by Tatiana Matusevich/BelTA
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