Photo-exhibition «The Defender of Peace and Culture» Opening
 | |
January 25, 2012 saw a Grand Opening of the exhibition «The Defender of Peace and Culture» at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Smolenskaya square. The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of July M. Vorontsov, an outstanding Russian diplomat, who initiated a great period in the history of Russian diplomacy. Occupying the key positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he successfully performed the most complicated tasks assisting the Government in finding the solutions for numerous important foreign policy issues.
 | |
Mr Sergey V. Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed the participants with a greeting speech. He thanked the International Centre of the Roerichs, Board of the Russian Diplomats Association, and the heads of Master-Bank for the organization of the event which is very important for strengthening the traditions of Russian diplomacy. Expressing his deepest respect to his colleague and preceptor with whom he worked together during the most critical years of Russian history the Minister said: «I was lucky enough to work under his leadership in the Permanent Representation of Russia in New York, including the fateful year 1991. We remember the Ambassador J.M. Vorontsov as an exemplary diplomat, true patriot and professional selflessly devoted to his work. The opening exhibition is really interesting and I am sure it will help us to discover new aspects of this great person character».
 | |
Prof. Alexey V. Postnikov, President of the International Centre of the Roerichs, and Mr. Alexander V. Stetsenko, Deputy Director General of the Museum named after Nicholas Roerich, also delivered speeches at the exhibition opening. In his speech Mr Stetsenko said: «J.M. Vorontsov was one of the founders of the International Centre of the Roerichs. Transferring the Roerichs heritage from India to Russia was made possible due to his support as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union. July Vorontsof belongs to the generation which was and is the hope and support of our country».
Mr V.N. Kazimirov, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Diplomats Assosiation, expressed his gratitude to the audience and noted that the exhibition will be also held at the Moscow Institute of international relations (MGIMO), the Academy of Diplomacy and the diplomatic missions where J. Vorontsov successfully worked.
 | |