Photo: hermitagemuseum.org
The discussion on art exchanges between Russia and the United States, suspended even before political disagreement intensified, was held at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas with the participation of Hermitage Director Mikhail Piotrovsky and Special Representative of the President of Russia for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy. According to them, this meeting can be the new start of negotiations between the parties on the resumption of exchanges of museum collections, Russian America reports.
The discussion can be called the beginning of large-scale negotiations between the authorities and the museum communities of the two countries. Mikhail Piotrovsky is not only the head of one of the leading art galleries in Russia and the world, but can also speak on behalf of the museum community in Russia, being the President of the Union of Russian Museums.
Director of the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Glenn Lowry, Director of Russian Section of the US State Department Nicholas Berliner and other experts represented the American side. The meeting was public and gathered more than two hundred listeners.
The artistic exchange between the countries ceased in 2010. The reason was the decision of the American court that the "Schneerson Library" collection should be transferred to the American Hasidim. The collection came to Soviet Union in 1945 during the World War II. Since then, Russia has not sent museum valuables to the United States, for fear of their judicial arrest.
Heads of museums and experts discussed possible ways out of a stalemate that could launch a new round of negotiations on the resumption of cooperation in the museum field.
Russkiy Mir
