Exhibit

Berdyaev's House

Welcome to Berdyaev’s House in Clamart

От Kураторa:

Дом Николая Александровича Бердяева один из немногих уголков сохраняющий дух эпохи. Комната-музей хранит книги, письма, личные вещи философа в их первоначальном виде. Это было одно из желаний самого Николая Александровича переданное и оформленное в документе «Réalisation de Promesse de vente» (перев.: Выполнение обещаний о продаже) отредактированное и подписанное между Евгенией Юдифовной Рапп и архиепископом Николаем Еремином, настоятелем храма Трех Святителей в Париже, 16 января 1955 года. В этом документе есть очень важное уточнение: «Сохранить нетронутым в том состоянии, в котором он находится, рабочий кабинет г-на Николая Бердяева». Вот уже на протяжении 70 лет это предписание бережно хранится. Дом открыт и принимает посетителей в течении всего года. Желающие посетить и прикоснуться к вещественному наследию философа с радостью принимаются в Кламаре. Для посещения желательно заранее договориться и записаться по электронному адресу: iosif1978@gmail.com.

Иеромонах Иосиф (Павлинчук)

From the Curator: 

The house of Nikolai Aleksandrovich Berdyaev is one of the few places that preserves the spirit of the era. The museum room keeps books, letters, and personal belongings of the philosopher in their original form. This was one of the wishes of Nikolai Aleksandrovich himself, conveyed and formalized in the document "Réalisation de Promesse de vente" (transl.: Fulfillment of promises to sell) edited and signed between Eugenia Yudifovna Rapp and Archbishop Nikolai Eremin, rector of the Church of the Three Hierarchs in Paris, on January 16, 1955. This document contains a very important clarification: "To preserve intact in the condition in which it is, the study of Mr. Nikolai Berdyaev." For 70 years now, this order has been carefully preserved. The house is open and receives visitors throughout the year. Those wishing to visit and touch the material heritage of the philosopher are gladly received in Clamart. For a visit, it is advisable to make an appointment in advance by email: iosif1978@gmail.com.

Hieromonk Joseph, Panteleimon Pavlinciuc

A Brief History of Berdyaev and His Clamart Home

  • 1922: Exiled from the Soviet Union amidst the suppression of intellectuals, Berdyaev relocates to Berlin.

  • 1924: He leaves Berlin for Paris, citing economic and political reasons. (Most sources indicate 1923, but letters from Shestov suggest otherwise.)

  • 1928: At 54, Berdyaev settles at 14 rue de Saint-Cloud, Clamart, a suburb of Paris, where he resides for several years.

  • 1937: Berdyaev and his wife Lydia move to 83 rue du Moulin de Pierre, Clamart, inheriting the house from family friend Florence West.

Clamart as Berdyaev’s Intellectual Hub

  • Clamart Home: This residence becomes Berdyaev’s main base for the remainder of his life, anchoring his philosophical and spiritual pursuits.

  • Creative Peak: While living here, Berdyaev authors many major works, including:

    • The New Middle Ages (1924)
    • On the Appointment of Man (1931)
    • On Slavery and Human Freedom (1939)
    • The Russian Idea (1946)
    • The Kingdom of the Spirit and the Kingdom of Caesar (published posthumously in 1951)

  • Lydia Berdyaeva’s Reflections: Lydia documented her husband’s relentless work ethic, noting his inability to rest without writing.

  • 1946: Berdyaev writes his will, bequeathing his property, including the Clamart house, to his sister-in-law Eugenia Rapp.

  • March 24, 1948: Berdyaev passes away in his Clamart home at the age of 73.

Preserving Berdyaev’s Legacy

  • Posthumous Preservation: Eugenia Rapp dedicates herself to safeguarding Berdyaev’s legacy, initially planning to transfer his manuscripts to Cambridge University but later donating them to the National Library of France.

  • 1959-1960: Berdyaev’s archive is transferred to the State Archive of Literature and Art in the Soviet Union after lengthy negotiations.

  • House Transfer: Following Eugenia Rapp’s death in 1960, the house is bequeathed to the Orthodox religious association and becomes associated with the Church of the Three Saints Doctors in Paris, serving as both a residence and a study centre for Berdyaev scholars.

  • Chapel and Preservation: The house now includes a chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit, adorned with an iconostasis by monk Gregory Krug. The Clamart residence continues to honour Berdyaev’s legacy, hosting Divine Liturgies and welcoming researchers and visitors, particularly during European Heritage Days.

For more information, see the following links:
https://rprt.northwestern.edu/people/research-scholars/the-house-of-berdyaev-a-place-of-convergence.pdf
https://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Sui-Generis/Berdyaev/essays/lossky.htm