The virtual exhibition «Alexei Turenkov: In Search of the ‘Flower of Happiness’« is on the BGAMLI website for the composer’s 140th anniversary

The Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (hereinafter referred to as BGAMLI) presents a new virtual exhibition, «Alexei Turenkov: In Search of the «Flower of Happiness», dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Belarusian composer, one of the founders of the national professional music school.

The creative path of Alexei Yevlampievich Turenkov became a landmark page in the history of national culture. His contribution to the development of Belarusian opera, symphonic, and choral music received high state recognition during his lifetime. Thus, in 1940, at the height of his talent, the composer was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor and the honorary title of «Honored Artist of the BSSR». Turenkov is the composer of the operas «The Flower of Happiness» (libretto by V. Borisevich, P. Brovka, and P. Glebka, staged in 1939), «Clear Dawn», and the ballet «Forest Fairy Tale». He wrote music for many plays («Pinsk Gentry», etc.) and films, and also arranged Belarusian folk songs.

The virtual exhibition features valuable documents and materials from the composer’s personal archive, held in the collections of the Belarusian State Academy of Literature and Art. The master’s legacy was acquired by the archive-museum in 1974 and 2006 by his widow’s nieces, Nellie Ivanovna Karachun and Zoya Ivanovna Lashnets. Thanks to their care, researchers and art lovers have the opportunity to view the composer’s autographed musical works, photographs, and letters to his wife, Ksenia Volchok. Alexey Yevlampievich Turenkov passed away on September 27, 1958, and is buried in the Military Cemetery in Minsk. However, the composer’s main memorial remains the music he created.

We invite you to explore the exhibition «Alexey Turenkov: In Search of the «Flower of Happiness» by following this link.