Over thirty objects of the nineteenth century from the Tsarskoe Selo collection are showcased at the Manege central exhibition hall in St Petersburg, which houses the Russian Ballet: First Position exhibition from 22 February to 21 May 2023.

The exhibition on Russian ballet history presents nearly a thousand artefacts from a tutu of Galina Ulanova and pointe shoes of Matilda Kshesinskaya to paintings by Mikhail Vrubel and personal belongings of Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky.

Our museum lent a sample of upholstery silk made at the factory of Alexander and Vladimir Sapozhnikov; mother-of-pearl scissors from the era of Alexander I; a silver swan-shaped vase; a French ceremonial court dress with a kokoshnik headpiece; opera glasses by Lemaire of Paris; as well as hand fans, lorgnettes and snuff boxes pertaining to theatergoers of the nineteenth century.