Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, 1799-1837
Alexander Pushkin was born in Moscow to an old noble family. His maternal great grandfather, Abram Petrovich Gannibal, was of African origin and was kidnapped by the Ottomans in what is today, Cameroon. The Ottomans later offered Gannibal to Peter the Great who raised the child in his own household as his godson. Gannibal studied in France for several years and upon his return to Russia in 1723, he was banished to Siberia by Prince Menshikov who was suspicious of him. It wasn’t until the reign of Elizabeth of Russia that he ascended to Chief Military Engineer in 1756 and General in Chief in 1759. Gannibal’s second wife and Pushkin’s great grandmother, Christina Regina Sioberg, descended from noble families in Scandinavia and Germany.
Pushkin is considered the father of Russian literature and its greatest poet. His most famous works include the play, Boris Godunov and the verse novel, Eugene Onegin, both of which were adapted into operas with music by Mussorgsky for Godunov and Tchaikovsky for Onegin.
Pushkin died in 1837 following a pistol duel with the supposed lover of his wife, George d’Anthès.
Coat of Arms of the Pushkin Family
The coat of arms of the Pushkin family show a crown on a cushion resting on a shield. Above that is a crested helmet. Below the crown are two sections: one side shows an armored arm with a sword and an eagle on the other side. The symbolism is hard to miss. The crown represents their noble lineage and the helmet, shield and sword allude to Gannibal’s military career. The eagle represents power and authority.
Living Room in Chișinău, Moldova
Pushkin fell out of favor with the Emperor for his literary works which were found “radical” by the government. He was transferred out of the capital in 1820. He left for the Caucasus and finally settled in Chișinău, Bessarabia, now Moldova, where he resided until 1823.
Bedroom/Sitting Room
“People are so like their first mother Eve: what they are given doesn’t take their fancy. The serpent is forever enticing them to come to him, to the tree of mystery. They must have the forbidden fruit, or paradise will not be paradise for them.” Quote from Eugene Onegin
If you would like to read Eugene Onegin, here’s the link to the novel: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23997/23997-h/23997-h.htm
“I have attained the highest power. Six years
Already have I reigned in peace; but joy
Dwells not within my soul. Even so in youth
We greedily desire the joys of love,
But only quell the hunger of the heart
With momentary possesion. We grow cold,
Grow weary and oppressed! In vain the wizards
Promise me length of days, days of dominion
Immune from treachery - not power, not life
Gladden me; I forebode the wrath of heaven
And woe. For me no happiness.
Boris Godunov,
Alexander Pushkin House, Chișināu, Moldova
“Ask yourself these three questions, Tatiana Metanova, and you will know who you are. Ask: What do you believe in? What do you hope for? What do you love?
The Bronze Horseman
Grigorii Pushkin (son of Alexander Pushkin) with Boris Trubetskoy in front of his father’s former house in Chișinău, 1988
Alexander Pushkin had four children from his marriage to Natalia Goncharova - Maria, Alexander, Grigorii and Natalia. Natalia married Prince Nikolaus Wilhelm of Nassau and their daughter, Sophie, married the Grand Duke Michael Mikailovich of Russia, the grandson of Emperor Nicholas I.
Self Portrait in ink, 1821
Pushkin liked to sketch self portraits on the margins of his manuscripts. This is a copy of a larger manuscript and it includes a fragment from his work, The Prisoner of the Caucasus, written in his own handwriting while on exile in Moldova.
Museum
Museum with portrait of Pushkin
This is one of Pushkin’s notable poems written in 1829.
“I loved you: and it may be from my soul
The former love has never gone away
But let it not recall to you my dole;
I wish not sadden you in any way.
I loved you silently, without hope, fully
In diffidence, in jealousy, in pain
I loved you so tenderly and truly
As let you else be loved by any man.”
Alexander Pushkin Museum
How to get to the museum:
Alexander Pushkin House and Museum
Strada Anton Pann 19, Chișinau, Moldova
It’s a 15 minute walk from the city center. Or take Bolt to the Museum. There’s a small entrance fee.
Where to stay:
Mercure Chișinău Center Jazz Hotel
Strada Vlaicu Parcalab
all.accor.com
This hotel is conveniently located close to landmarks like Christ’s Nativity Orthodox Cathedral and the Triumphal Arch. Lots of eating establishments nearby. We walked from here to the Pushkin Museum.
Where to eat:
La Plăcinte
Strada Puskin, 33
This restaurant caters to a broad range of tastes with its extensive menu. This is my favorite chain restaurant in both Moldova and Romania.
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Images by TravelswithCharie