Prime Minister Vladimir Putin opened an exhibition “Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya’s Collection” at the Constantine Palace during a visit to St Petersburg.
Speech by Vladimir Putin at the opening of an exhibition at St Petersburg's Constantine Palace
Good evening,
This day is marked by a bright, important event not only for St Petersburg's life, but also for the cultural life of the whole country. Two eminent Russian cultural figures, Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya, preserved these works of art of the 17th-20th centuries, which form the basis of this exhibition.
They have been collecting these works for 30 years. Mstislav and Galina kept these masterpieces, paintings, graphics, and pieces of decorative art for the world and, most importantly, for us and for Russia. There is no doubt that only really talented people could make such a unique collection, those who know well what true objects of national culture are.
And, of course, I want to thank those who helped to return the collection to Russia, who preserved these cultural artefacts in the best traditions of Russian charity and arts patronage. I'm speaking of, in the first instance, Mr Alisher Usmanov.
It is not an accident that the Constantine Palace was chosen to be the new home for the collection. This palace has been renovated and restored from ruins. Now it is a symbol of Russia's revival, the renewal of the succession of our historical, spiritual and cultural traditions.
We well understand what moral significance the national culture has, how important it is for the harmonious development and unity of Russian society, for the strengthening of its statehood. Therefore, we will pay careful attention to Russia's museums, theatres and libraries, to the preservation and development of its art movements. We will do our best to preserve and multiply our Motherland's cultural artefacts.
One more, I heartily congratulate you on the opening of the exhibition, and all those who made this event possible. I want to stress that the palace was renovated not for official meetings or as the St Petersburg presidential residence. The palace and the exhibition, which we open today, are open to the public, to Russian citizens, residents of St Petersburg and the city's guests.
I hope you enjoy the museums of the Constantine Palace.
Thank you for your attention.
