Museum of Ethnography

The worn-gold handle of the door is an ethnographic exhibit in itself, showing as it does the age of this marble monolith. Although student tickets are said to be R150, this could just be at peak times, as our entrance was free. I bought a photo ticket for R160 as the current exhibition “History of the Jewish People in Russia” is extremely relevant to my Year Abroad project (and absolutely fascinating). I got given a special big badge to hang around my neck to stop babushki shouting at me and took full advantage of my purchased privilege. 

 In the Marble Hall, there is a collection of fashion designs and some odd artwork, some of it intriguing, around the balcony. It’s worth going in just to admire the hall itself, with a stone façade of peasants circling the inner wall and marble columns rising to a glass ceiling.

 The museum houses large collections of costumes and utensils from all neighbouring countries, including a full-size yurt. It seems ludicrous to come to Russia and only learn about the Slavic people when the Museum of Ethnography provides a knowledgeable and exciting insight into cultures so far removed from our own

Ploshad’ Iskusstv, yellow building on the left of the Russian Museum.