Public Remarks

Remarks — 150th Anniversary Tretyakov / Spaso Exhibition

William J. Burns, U.S. Ambassador to Russia

Spaso House, Moscow, June 27, 2006

Dear guests! Lisa and I are delighted to welcome you to Spaso tonight to celebrate a joyous occasion involving two important anniversaries. First and foremost, tonight we gather to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Tretyakov Gallery. The Tretyakov Gallery has been instrumental in preserving the works of Russia's artistic geniuses and inspiring the fine arts among Russians and throughout the world. It is impossible to leave the Tretyakov without recognizing the truly amazing works of art that Russian artists have given to the world.

Next year we will commemorate another important occasion – 200 years of American-Russian diplomatic relations. We wanted celebrate these two momentous anniversaries in a unique way – by hosting an exhibition of Russian art from the Tretyakov here at Spaso House.

It has been said that art is a means of knowing the world; it knows no boundaries; that it transcends our ordinary lives and lets us imagine new possibilities. We hope that the works we have jointly selected excite as much admiration in you as they have in us.

I would like to especially thank Mikhail Shvydkoy, the director of the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography, for his support of this project. I express special thanks also to Valentin Rodionov, Director of the Tretyakov Gallery, for being our partner in this project. Last but not least, I want to say what a great pleasure it has been for me and members of the Embassy staff to work with Yekaterina Seleznyova, curator-in-chief of the museum, to make this exhibit possible.

I would now like to invite Mikhail Shvydkoy and Valentin Rodionov to give a few remarks.