On Vasile Alecsandri Street, No 5, Iasi, you will find the building of the Theatre Museum, officially opened in 1976, one of the best cultural institutions dedicated to the theatrical world and history, but also an important landmark of the city.
This museus was opened on December 14th 1976, 160 years since the very first theatre show in Romanian, which was hosted inside the house of Vasile Alecsandri, the father of the future poet with the same name. The building was finished towards the end of the 18th century, close to the Sf Ilie Church in Iasi, an old and impressive part of the city. The Theatre Museum is presenting the history of Romanian theatre, from the very first tries of puting together some theatre groups, under the Western influence, to nowadays, when theatre is a major part of society's cultural existence. Some important moments in the history of the National Theatre in Iasi are featured here : the very first Romanian show, organised by Gh Asachi in Iasi, the founding of the Conservatory and the National Theatre in this city, the opening of today's building, short and interesting presentations of the life and work of the most important people who in some way worked for the Theatre. The permanent exhibition is hosted in no less than nine halls, while the rest of the rooms are used as storage space, for different temporary exhibitions or for various cultural events.
The variety and richness of the collections which are hosted here is simply amazing. There are literally hundreds of unique items, of the highest value among collectors, which can only be admired here. At the Theatre Museum in Iasi we can find hundreds of posters and theatre programs, books and magazines, newspapers and documents, rare photographs - many bearing the signature of famous artists and directors - art objects, letters, manuscripts, furniture and costumes, as well as a large sellection of personal objects, all very interesting and well preserved. Most of the exhibits come from the archives of the National Theatre in Iasi, where costumes and stage memorabilia were kept with great care. It is truly a treasure, completed over the years by several donations and acquisitions, mainly from the families of artists and directors, and it is great that this cultural heritage was not lost, but put into value.
According to the official recordings, at the moment there are around 22.300 exhibits in the collections, but future donations are bound to increase this number. Some of the highlights of the museum's collections : a collection of original 19th century theatre posters, presenting the very first shows ; old books and manuscripts, some signed by Vasile Alecsandri, Hasdeu, Caragiale and so on ; the rich sellection of original photographs of personalities such as George Enescu, Mateil Millo and many others ; art works and personal objects of artists and directors ; a large number of stage objects, costumes and furniture used for various plays, some of the costumes having been worn in prestigious and legendary performances ; a series of portraits depicting various people in the theatre world, made by C. D. Stahi.
An impressive voyage into the history of one of the most respected theatres of Romania, the Theatre Museum in Iasi is a major atraction for those to come to this city to discover it's culture and past. Not to be missed.
2008-02-11
