Handbill

23 апреля 1908

Paper, printing

35х25,5

The April flood of 1908 was the largest in Moscow in the twentieth century. The Moskva River rose by nearly nine meters, and vast areas of the city’s districts were submerged. The disaster also affected the Bakhrushin family: in his memoirs, Yu. A. Bakhrushin wrote that his father’s first thought was to save the museum, which was located in a semi-basement space, from possible flooding. Against this background, the poster of the Imperial Maly Theatre dated 23 April 1908 is especially striking: it states that A.N. Ostrovsky’s play Guilty Without Guilt was performed “for the benefit of the municipal boards of guardianship for the poor, for distribution to those affected by the flood in Moscow.” The participation of M.N. Yermolova and A.P. Lensky gave the evening particular public significance. The performance was organized by the Moscow City Duma after the close of the season, and the proceeds amounted to 1,859 rubles 80 kopecks – an impressive sum in aid of the victims of the disaster.

КП 103011