Photo credit: tvkultura.ru
The Ardingelli Palace, rebuilt with funds allocated by Russia, has opened in L'Aquila, Italy, RIA Novosti reports.
The late Baroque masterpiece, which is more than three centuries old, was damaged by a strong earthquake 11 years ago. The ceremony of handing over the palace to the city authorities took place on 5 September. The building will now house a branch of the MAXXI Roman Museum of Contemporary Art. It will receive its first visitors in two months. A plaque with inscriptions in Russian and Italian was placed on the wall of the renovated building.
The head of the region, the mayor of the city, representatives of the Italian authorities and the management of the MAXXI fund took part in the ceremony.
Russian diplomats recalled that after the devastating earthquake in 2009, the best Russian rescuers arrived in L'Aquila. In addition to the palace, the Russian side also undertook to finance the restoration of the Church of St. Gregory the Great. Overall, Russia has invested about 9 million euros. The Russian side's contribution became the largest among a dozen countries.
The speakers conveyed words of gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of Russia for the allocated funds for the restoration of the palace. The participants in the ceremony expressed their hope that the MAXXI Foundation would be able to host Russian artists.
The first exhibition after the opening of the museum will include works by the young Russian artist Anastasia Potemkina.
Russkiy Mir
