1999 – "Russian emigration in the letters to the Court and Government of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia 1920-1939"

This exhibition comprises of various documents and accounts of Russian emigrants that originate from the work of the Royal Court Palace and the Ministry Council of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

The documents date to the period between years 1918 and 1940 and consist of handwritten and printed letters in Russian and Serbian, specially made ornamental letters of gratitude, photographs and albums. The selected documents mostly reflect common circumstances experienced by the Russian emigrants in their new surroundings, the efforts of scientists, artists, intelligentsia in their aim to contribute to the growth and development of their new country, the fates of prominent exiled figures from the Russian military and cultural sphere (senators, high rank officers etc.)

There are many letters and pleas in which both individuals, professional and other organizations seek financial support and show their gratitude. In similarly very difficult conditions for the domestic population, these requests were often granted as a sign of friendship and goodwill, which strongly portraits the kind of relationship and the way in which the Yugoslav country, the King and the government acted towards the exiled Russian population. Even within the archives of the Royal Palace on its own, there are three folders full of granted claims, that each amount to 1000 Dinars worth of benefits on average. The Royal Court Palace and the government have provided a great deal of support to societies and organizations, prominent artists and scientists, retired generals, senators and their families. The Royal Palace also bore the costs of burials of prominent figures from the sphere of politics, military and culture, and within the employee rights resolve, the Russian exiles had absolutely the same rights as their new fellow citizens. Pleas and other documents shown in the exhibition relate to Russian emigration ingress, problems concerning their employment, religious activities in the new country, enquiry and notification problems etc.

The exhibition also shows the great effort and desire of both employed and unemployed Russian exiles to contribute to the overall prosperity of the newly formed Yugoslav state, and generously pass on the knowledge and experience gained before leaving Russia.

The letter to King Aleksandar from Russian engineers, 1931

The letter to King Aleksandar from Russian war invalid association, 1934

The letter of gratitude sent to Queen Marija, 1935.

King Aleksandar I, 1935

Emperor Nikolaj II, 1935

Administrative committee for care of primary and secondary school attendants from Zagreb begs Duke Nikola to be the patron of the association, 1936

Association of Russian refugees from Bor greets Aleksandar the tenth anniversary of his reign, 1931, (Page one)

Association of Russian refugees from Bor greets Aleksandar the tenth anniversary of his reign, 1931, (Page two)

Condolences of the Russian Colony in Belgrade deputy to Nikola Pašić as regards the murder of the minister Milorad Drašković in 1921

Administrative committee Russian colony from Zemun sends the best wishes to the royal family, 1931, (Page one)

Administrative committee Russian colony from Zemun sends the best wishes to the royal family, 1931, (Page two)