Hi All,

In December of 1825, a group of Noble army officers who had been fighting in France against Napoleon, returned home with ideas of Liberty and wanted to bring such changes to Russia. This of course was a revolutionary idea in Czarist Russia. Even though these men were of Noble families they still wanted life to change in Russia. On 14th December 1825 an uprising was put down by the Czars’s Cossack regiment. Some leaders were killed and many others were exiled to Siberia to work for hard labour for a few years but were then released but had to remain in Siberia forever. This to us sounds like the worst thing that could happen, but we have come to see that life in Siberia, though not like the court of the Czar with its pomp and palaces, is still pretty good. Good climate, good food and pleasant forests to provide food and materials for shelters. This leads to the ancient tradition of the wooden homes of Siberia.

So combining some history with environment, our tour takes us to the home of the highest of the noble Decembrist exiles – Count Volkonski and his wife Maria, who later went to Siberia to join her husband there. There are many of the old wooden homes in the town, still occupied but their historical home, is one of the most impressive wooden homes in the city of Irkutsk, Siberia.Their home is one of few double story and painted homes. Most are left in natural timber, but Count Volkonski and his wife Maria became sponsors of music and culture in the city and in Siberia. They had many parties and musical concerts at their home. As the exiles and their wives were only allowed to leave St Petersburg with the clothes they wore, a friend had smuggled out for Maria her favourite piano keyboard, but in a reduced form. This was the instrument that was used to entertain guests for the next 30 years.Around the house a restored veggie garden was maintained to show how the Volkonski family lived well in Siberia. The selection of veggies enabled them to live well during the summer and store excess for the very cold winter months.

Inside the home we were welcomed in to the sitting/ lounge room for a musical recital. Our house host spoke to us about the family and Maria’s love of music that brought joy to this city in Siberia. He told of the music that was played here both from Russian composers, and works by Chopin and Mozart.

We were then given the pleasure of listing to a number of musical pieces on a grand piano by a very well know local musician. She played for us both on the Grand piano and the normal piano to the delight of the audience. This program was just for our tour group as the Museum was usually closed on the Monday we arrived. So it was delightful to enjoy the concert as it would have been done at the time of the Volkonski’s. Together with the musical recital we were given a number of operatic pieces as well by a local opera singer.

More surprises were in store for us as we then had additional pieces sung as a duet with a very impressive Russian baritone singer. This was a great event for the tour group and we thought it could not get any better.

That was until the presenters invited us to a glass of champagne to sing to, and enjoy as the guest of the Volknoski’s would have in the 1800’s. What a way to end a day and experience the culture of Siberia in such an enjoyable way.

We have all enjoyed our special tour events along the Trans Siberian railway and return to the train to look forward to further treats in coming days.

Regards
Wendy