“Pochtovoe” grew out of a personal passion — exchanging postcards with different countries during the 2020 pandemic. In a time of isolation, the mail became a way to feel connected to the world. Postcards arrived slowly, on thin paper, carrying unfamiliar handwriting and the warmth of a living word. It became clear that even in the digital age, a letter remains a space of trust and memory.
Gradually, interest in contemporary postal practices evolved into a deeper exploration of the history of communication. Behind every vintage postcard, an entire world unfolded: pre-revolutionary Russia, city streets, family stories, everyday joys and quiet worries. A postcard turned out to be more than an image — it was a document of life.
One important milestone was the PostVenture expedition led by traveler and researcher Valery Sushkov. During the project, more than 40 historical methods of postal communication were recreated — from field mail to unconventional delivery routes. The expedition received the national “Crystal Compass” Award (2021) in the “Travel and Expedition” category, marking important recognition of this work.
The project was officially launched on October 1, 2022 under the title “From Nizhny with Love…”. Initially focused on the history of the Nizhny Novgorod region, it gradually expanded to 14 regions of Russia — from major cities to cultural and educational centers.
From the very beginning, Pochtovoe has combined research and public education. The project hosts workshops on deciphering postcards from 1880–1917, lectures on the culture of writing, exhibitions, masterclasses, and festivals. Participants learn to read old handwriting, understand the language of the past, and see real people behind historical facts.
Over time, the project has developed an international dimension. Its materials are published in 13 languages, and its initiatives engage with themes of public diplomacy and cultural dialogue. A postcard is a universal medium — understood in any country and in any era.
Today, Pochtovoe is a community of researchers, volunteers, educators, students, and all those who believe in working carefully and respectfully with the past. The project connects scholarship, culture, education, and human engagement.
We believe that history is not only events and dates.
It is voices. Handwriting. Intonation.
And sometimes — a postcard that traveled a long way to be read a hundred years later.
The story of the project continues — and there is always room for new participants.
