Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Town gets copy of Leningrad Album
Airdrie takes delivery of replica of historic tome
Monklands now has its very own copy of the poignant Leningrad Album – sent from Russia nearly 75 years ago in response to the gift of artworks and messages of hope compiled by the women of Airdrie and Coatbridge in support of their counterparts in a siege-stricken city.
An exact replica of the historical treasure, dating back to World War II which is kept at the Mitchell library in Glasgow, was handed over in a special ceremony at the City Chambers this week after being specially commissioned by North Lanarkshire Council.
Sadie Docherty, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, presented the new album to North Lanarkshire counterpart Jim Robertson and Petersburn woman Helen Morrison, who is involved with the Scotland-based St Petersburg Trust and had led the initial request for a local copy.
It will soon go on display at Airdrie library on Wellwynd, and will be used for education and talks, including school group visits and community presentations.
Helen told how emotional she had been to see the new album copy at the presentation, saying: “It’s absolutely beautiful – and to know that we’re getting a copy in North Lanarkshire is a miracle.
“When the Provost phoned to tell me that the album was available and asked me to come to the presentation, I filled up with tears. The album is priceless and I’m so happy to see this come to fruition.
“It’s an amazing story and a wonderful piece of heritage; and it’s a heritage of peace and love, not war. The album was all about fellowship and was created from one human being to another.”
Leningrad – now renamed St Petersburg – fell under siege in September 1941, quickly resulting in no water, heating or public transport, very little food or electricity, and 200,000 deaths from starvation and cold in just two months. More than a million people died during the siege, which lasted 900 days.
A six- strong committee of Monklands people decided to show their support for residents of the occupied city by collecting an extraordinary array of 6000 signatures and messages of hope, solidarity and support from women of all backgrounds from all over Airdrie and Coatbridge, in the space of just two weeks.
The silk- bound “Scottish album” defied all odds to reach its destination in June 1942 and seven months later, a surprise reciprocal book of replies and artwork, poems and woodcuts by top artists and writers found its way in return, being delivered to Glasgow.
Helen added: “My favourite page is one with a drawing of the Russian and British flags. The artist had to walk five miles to the library – at a time when everyone was starving – to see the designs in colour.”
“The love that’s gone into the album is special. Last year a lady who survived the siege gifted a clock to the area because she was still so appreciative of the original gift of the album; you listen to people there and they have so much regard for Airdrie and Coatbridge.
“I’m so thrilled and want to thank all of the people involved at Glasgow and North Lanarkshire Councils; it will be wonderful to have our own copy in Airdrie.
“My ambition now would be to get a copy made of the Scottish album, which was sent from here to Leningrad – and to have them lying side by side as they do in St Petersburg.”