Virtual Lecture: Russian Alternative to French Perfume – The History of Soap Making in Russia

Sunday, February 7, 1:00-2:00pm
Members Free, Nonmembers $8, registration required by Friday, February 6. The Zoom link will be emailed to participants the morning of the program.

Marina Smirnov, creator and owner of Finist natural beauty products will present the history of soap making in Russia. Marina will also speak about her soap-making practices that enhance the healing properties of herbs, clays, and essential oils, helping to recharge and restore balance and beauty. The lecture will highlight key aspects of the history of soap-making and bathing in Russia. It will shed light on the origins and techniques of the “art” of making soap starting from medieval times and leading up to the present. But is making soap an art or a science? The answer is somewhat subjective, and the lecture will cover both aspects of the process. As part of the science behind the manufacturing of soap, an overview of the health benefits of using natural hygiene products, and what characteristics distinguish them from the rest, will be included. From the artistic perspective, various colors, textures, and aromatic combinations will be discussed to give a sense of the breadth of possibilities when something as utilitarian as soap takes on artistic quality.