31 October in the International multimedia press center MIA “Russia today” held a multimedia press conference dedicated to opening the XVII Church and society exhibition-forum “Orthodox Russia – Day of National unity”.
National unity day is celebrated in the Russian Federation on 4 November. The press conference was dedicated to the fact that from 4 to 25 November in the Central exhibition hall “Manezh” within the framework of the XVII exhibition-forum “Orthodox Russia ― Day of national unity” will be unprecedented in its scale exhibition “Treasures of museums of Russia”, which collected about 280 of the most important artifacts from 50 museums in Russia.
The exhibition was prepared by the Patriarchal Council for culture with the support of the Moscow Government and the Ministry of culture of the Russian Federation.
In press conference took part:
- The Minister of culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir MEDINSKY;
- Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov, the Chairman of the Patriarchal Council for culture, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Pskov-caves monastery TIKHON;
- General Director of the State Tretyakov gallery Zelfira TREGULOVA;
- Deputy head of the national policy and interregional relations of the city of Moscow Konstantin BLAZHENOV.
Bishop Tikhon said in part: “the Exhibition we are opening soon, a project of the Russian Orthodox Church’s cooperation with the Museum community. As you know, in the Arena each year, open very interesting displays. Four of them were devoted to the periods of Russian history, from ancient times to the present day. And, of course, we understand that it is impossible to reduce, there has to be something really interesting…. I’d like to close with the words of Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov, one of my favorite Russian artists: “I think that art should give happiness and joy, otherwise it’s not worth anything”. So I think that this exposition will give happiness and joy to those who visit the arena.”
To the high valuation of the future joined by the Minister of culture Vladimir Medinsky: “This exhibition is a continuation of the cycle “Russia-My story”, it is timed to the Day of national unity, it will open the forum Orthodox Russia in the Arena. And the residents and guests of the capital, perhaps for the first time in history will have a unique opportunity to see at one site the collected exposition of the Museum treasures of the 50 regional museums of Russia. Only about 300 exhibits. I would call this exhibition the Museum a symbol of unity, unity Museum and cultural space of Russia, as geographic coverage is really ambitious: from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad, from Khanty-Mansiysk to Feodosia…. It was the result of effective cooperation of the Council for culture of the Russian Orthodox Church, Ministry of culture, Government of Moscow. Operational work conducted by the Association ROSIZO Museum and the Tretyakov gallery”.