Mikhail Shvydkoy, chief of Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography
Photo: Dmitry Lebedev
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Britain Guarantees Guarantee by Jan 7
The exhibition, From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings 1870-1925, will probably travel to London, Mikhail Shvydkoy confirmed the media reports at the yesterday’s news conference of Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography. The December 21 refusal was viewed as another escalation of Russia’s and Britain’s row, and in both countries, they are looking for the ways to sort out the difficulties.
The Royal Academy of Art in London expected the landmark exhibition, From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings 1870-1925, by January 26. It closes in Dusseldorf January 6 and was scheduled to travel to Britain’s capital after it.
But the program was changed on rumors that heirs of Russia’s arts patrons would endeavor to go to law, claiming back masterpieces confiscated by the Soviets. In October, Russia’s bureaucrats warned that the exhibition would go to London provided they had the guaranteed protection against the third party claims.
Shvydkoy said they received the respective letter from Britain’s Culture Ministry on December 7, but it didn’t suffice for the exhibition of that extent. He called the emergency briefing December 21 to announce cancellation of the London portion of exhibition on fears that the art would be seized to settle private claims.
Yesterday, however, Shvydkoy told reporters that they received from Britain a bill on art works immunity that is to be passed January 7. “We have got the draft December 24, it is due to be passed January 7. If it happens, the exhibition will be able to travel to London,” Shvydkoy said.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 27, 2007
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