In 1891, the large-scale Central Asian exhibition opened for the first time in the halls of the Historical Museum in Moscow.
It was held from May 11 to November 18, 1891, in 20 museum halls and, according to eyewitnesses, "represented a rather cozy corner of Central Asia."
The exhibition was ceremonially opened in the presence of the Governor-General of Moscow, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. On the opening day Emperor Alexander III arrived at the Museum. Before that, he had visited the French Industrial Exhibition, which was held in Moscow on the same days.
"The entire square in front of the Historical Museum many hours before the arrival of the sovereign had been crowded with people who came to see him," writes an eyewitness.
The sovereign walked around the halls of the exhibition, stopping in front of many showcases. He especially liked some items, such as Bukharan carpets, some of which he asked to reserve for himself.
Leaving the exhibition, Alexander III thanked its organizers and said a farewell word: "This is a real exhibition, while the French one is just a bazaar!".
For even more amazing historical facts, see the book-album Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the Museums of Moscow from the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections series.
The general sponsor of the project "Cultural legacy of Uzbekistan in the world collections" is the oilfield services company Eriell Group.
