Memorial Museum of Fyodor Dostoevsky
A Brush with Death and Exile
Fyodor Dostoevsky is a distinguished Russian author known for his literary masterpieces such as Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Idiot. In 1849, he was arrested and sentenced to death for participation in the Petrashevsky Circle, a secret society opposing the tsarist autocracy. Miraculously, just as Dostoevsky stood on the gallows, his execution was commuted to exile. Several years of this exile Dostoevsky spent in Kazakhstan. In 1857-1859, Fyodor Mikhailovich lived in a small wooden house in Semey, which now houses a museum.
During his exile, Dostoevsky endured hardships, but the presence of his wife and adopted son provided solace. In Semey, he formed a deep friendship with the renowned Kazakh scientist Shoqan Walikhanov, whose intellectual conversations offered respite to Dostoevsky's yearning soul. The museum now features a monument commemorating their friendship.
From Library to Museum
The origin of the museum traces back to 1965 when the building became a regional library. Dissatisfied readers pushed for a Dostoevsky museum, resulting in its establishment in 1971 to mark the writer's 150th anniversary. The museum boasts rare collections, including books, documents, and essays about Dostoevsky's work, as well as publications from his lifetime. Notably, it displays the writer's autograph, a prized possession that captivates the interest of visitors.
As the museum's exhibits grew, a new two-story building was constructed nearby. This modern addition features a film screening room, a spacious library with 14,000 books, and a storage area. The new building is architecturally distinctive, resembling a book, with a bas-relief of Dostoevsky's head on the facade and graffiti decorating the walls. Connected to the old building through a vestibule, this expansion reflects the ongoing commitment to preserving and showcasing the literary legacy of Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Dostoevsky's exile, though challenging, ultimately fortified him, providing life experiences that would shape his future literary endeavors, including the creation of Crime and Punishment and other works.
How to get there?
Address: Kazakhstan, Semey, 118 Dostoevsky St.
The museum can be reached by buses #2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 28, 33, 35, 41, and 56. Alight at the “Central Square” bus station, located on Mukhamedkhanov Street, opposite the Abay Theater.
Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday – closed
Other tourist attractions near the museum:
- Abay Theater
- Central Square
- Regional Museum of Local History
- Museum of Fine Arts of the Nevzorov Family
- Abay Square
- Central Park
- State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum of Abay
Recommended tours:
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Embark on an exploration of the Soviet legacy on Kazakh soil! This tour takes you to the infamous labor camps of the Stalin era, Karlag and Alzhir, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and various other landmarks from the Soviet era.