Yurievets is the most ancient town of Ivanovo region that is often mentioned in chronicles. The history of the town is closely connected with the prince of Vladimiro-Suzdal Jury (George) Vsevolodovich, who ordered to lay the foundation of it on a high Volga bank. He wanted the town to become a defensive strategic point of Vladimiro-Suzdal Russia. Many artists and poets sung of the city built of white stone. It is the witness of many events of our history, the keeper of Russian traditions, a stronghold of orthodox belief. The Old Believer archpriest Abacus served here; as a legend told us, the subjugator of Siberia – Ermak – also was born here.

Yurievets is the most ancient town of Ivanovo region that is often mentioned in chronicles. The history of the town is closely connected with the prince of Vladimiro-Suzdal Jury (George) Vsevolodovich, who ordered to lay the foundation of it on a high Volga bank. He wanted the town to become a defensive strategic point of Vladimiro-Suzdal Russia. Many artists and poets sung of the city built of white stone. It is the witness of many events of our history, the keeper of Russian traditions, a stronghold of orthodox belief. The Old Believer archpriest Abacus served here; as a legend told us, the subjugator of Siberia – Ermak – also was born here. The life of the educator Venerable Makariy Unzhensky is connected with the ancient town. The great film director Andrei Tarkovsky also was born in Yurievets. The story of an aged town from ancient times up to now is presented on an exposition of the museum of history and art. The exposition of Andrei Tarkovsky’s museum center was opened in 1996; it acquaints us with his creative heritage and tells us about life of Andrei Tarkovsky while his staying in Yurievets during the Great Patriotic War in 1941-1943. In the museum a new exhibition is timed to coincide with the 75-years anniversary of the great Master. It reproduces an interior of the room where Tarkovsky's family spent wartime. The room was restored according to the recollection of Tarkovsky’s sister – Marina. Here you can see a sofa, Marina’s cot, and a marching folding bed on which Andrei slept. The next hall is devoted to the creative work of the film director. Here in a form of an art collage some moments of shootings and frames of the films, created by him, are represented. The next layout is a family-tree of the Tarkovskies. The courtyard of the museum center embellishes an exposition with symbols and images that are typical for the works of the Master.

There is a wall of the destroyed temple with a stylized image of Prelate Andrei Roublev. It reminds us of all the sacred objects lost in XX century. A well, water and a bell – they are always present in all the films of Andrei Tarkovsky. No matter what befell him, A.Tarkovsky never lost touch with his little Motherland. His talent has arisen here, in a deep Russian province, in a city with a glorious history, ancient churches, and bewitching landscapes of the Volga banks. The International film festival “Zerkalo” named after Andrei Tarkovsky is an important event for everyone who loves cinematographic, which is always unique, delicate, flashing and life-asserting. Andrei Tarkovsky is a brilliant representative of this enchanting world.