For long time, Shushenskoe was the place of Russian political exile, first of so called Decembrists (participants in the unsuccessful revolt against Tsar Nicholas I in December 1825), then of Polish insurgents from the rebellion of 1860 and finally of revolutionaries of the late 1890s. The most prominent personality among the exiled was Vladimir Ilych Lenin known as the main leader of the October Revolution of 1917. While in exile in Shushenskoe (1897 – 1900), he got married with Nadezhda Krupskaya there in 1898.
In 1970, a museum was open to commemorate Lenin’s exile, i.e. his life in Shushenskoe, bringing fame to the village, both in Russia and abroad. After the Soviet period, the museum was transformed into an ethnographic institution – a unique open-air museum preserving a traditional Siberian village and pre-revolutionary Russian culture of the late 19th century in its entirety. Alongside the house of Lenin’s exile, the museum contains many other well-preserved rural buildings with plenty more historical artifacts on display. The museum also facilitates its own souvenir production that allows visitors observing how individual souvenirs are produced by skilled craftsmen. Visitors can even try to make their own souvenirs at the museum and take part in special lessons offered to learn such traditional crafts as pottery, wood carving, weaving, etc.
Nowadays, Shushenskoe is a place of revived folk traditions and Siberian hospitality. The first weekend of July, during the international ethno-music festival ‘Sayan Ring’, Shushenskoe reverberates with traditional music featuring singers and other performers from the entire Siberia and abroad. This for Siberia unique event provides an opportunity to hear the famous Tuvan throat-singing, to see Shamans and their rituals, or to try playing a traditional folk music instrument oneself. Other great festivities include New Year’s Day and Maslenica (similar to Shrovetide and Pancake Day celebrated before the Lent in Europe), both replete with many popular events and fairs. During the Maslenica celebrations, traditional procession in the village streets with burning of Maslenica effigy (symbolizing the end of harsh winter) is organized.
For those wishing to experience a cozy atmosphere in a Siberian izba (peasant’s house), savouring traditional Siberian tea (made from mountain herbs) or trying delicious bird cherry pie, Shushenskoe is the right place. Furthermore, there are a number of restaurants and accommodation facilities in the village and its surrounding. The village has also its own vodka distillery. The trip from Shushenskoe to Cheremushky (entry point to the mountain segment of Shushensky Bor National Park and Sayno-Shushensky Zapovednik) is in itself a scenic drive, with many interesting sites and places to see.
Try our the gallery or just scroll through the pictures as you normally would:
[nggallery id=1]
Related posts:
- Vasilisevo Open Air Museum
Posted in Uncategorized.
absoultely beautifyl
Hi my name is Irina Hayes formally known as Irina Genodievna beloglazava, i do not have any photos of my birth place. i was actually born in shushenskoe village and at age 4 years old was taken by the nurses hired by the government to take us from my home. MY SIS VERA at that time was 3rs old she too was taken with me. we went to Irkutsk and were in the orpanage for 5 years and by the grace of God after being separated from my sister vera for three years we were reunited and adopted to the same family. the hayes family. im 22 years old getting married soon. and just now found your photos that are almost identical to the houses and the interior of where i lived. i remember every detail. i lived in a wooden house like the ones in the picture. there was a shed and a gate we had a well. we hada white stove and a tiny kitchen. i remember the wooden floors there was a hospital of sort to my right and a police statio maybe down the road like a short ways away. it means the world to me that i can now for the first time have photos that puts a picture to my memories. oh those hay stacks were right across my neighbors house i was born in 1988 jan 1st. so 4 years from there 1992 about then i set that hay stack across the street on fire by accident and the fire department had to come by and put it out. well anyway thank you . i know this is no tipical repley