Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian land gave the world many outstanding artists, and Belarusians are rightly proud of this, Vladimir Makei, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO, said when speaking at the opening ceremony of the international art project Leon Bakst’s Time and Art, which was held at the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus on 9 February, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vladimir Makei noted that people in Belarus are rightfully proud that the Belarusian land has given the world such outstanding artists as Leon Bakst, Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Ossip Zadkine, Nadia Khodasevich Leger and many others. “Through the prism of these glorious names we can see the talent and distinctive identity of Belarus, its significant contribution to the world culture,” Vladimir Makei said.

He noted that sometimes media outlets write that the independence of Belarus was a fluke, and that the country has not contributed anything of significance to the world history. “This is utter nonsense. Every nation has its place in history. Belarus has many famous names that we are proud of,” Vladimir Makei noted.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined that declaring 2016 the year of Leon Bakst by the UNESCO is a sign of recognition of the importance of his art for the international community. The events such as the art project Leon Bakst’s Time and Art promotes a sense of pride in the cultural heritage of previous generations and strengthens the positive image of Belarus in the eyes of the world community, Vladimir Makei noted.

The exhibition is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Leon Bakst. The date was included in the UNESCO Memorable Dates Calendar on Belarus’ initiative. The exhibition has been organized by the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus and Belgazprombank, with the participation of the museums of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia.

Attending the ceremony were Belarus’ Culture Minister Boris Svetlov, Director General of the National Art Museum of Belarus Vladimir Prokoptsov, and Chairman of the Board of Belgazprombank Viktor Babariko.

The exhibition in Minsk will be running till 17 April 2016 and then will travel to Vilnius and Riga.