The State Darwin Museum in Moscow is hosting a new exhibition honouring James Herriot, the North Yorkshire vet and author whose real name was Alf Wight. The exhibition celebrates his work, which was featured in the TV series All Creatures Great and Small.
Herriot's books and the television adaptation remain popular in Russia, where he has a dedicated fan club. Staff from the World of James Herriot Museum in Thirsk have travelled to Moscow to meet museum officials and fans.
Herriot's books were loosely based on his own experiences as a young vet in rural North Yorkshire. His first book, If Only They Could Talk, was published in 1970 and despite a small initial print run of 3,000 copies, it went on to be published in 26 languages.
Herriot, who first arrived in Thirsk in 1939, remained a working vet and considered himself a part-time author. He died in 1995. A real visit by Herriot to Russia in 1961, accompanying a boatload of sheep, was fictionalised in one of his books.
Rosie Page, the author's daughter, said: 'Dad knew how popular he was all over the world before he died but still these new things are happening. It's an amazing legacy he's left.' Ian Ashton of the Herriot museum added: 'We are extremely honoured that this exhibition has been staged and delighted to have been invited to visit.'
