The Russian Academy Of Arts

On January 27, 2010 Zurab Tsereteli visited Stavropol to take part in the closing of his solo exhibition. The ceremony was attended by the Governor of the Stavropol Krai (federal subject of Russia) Valery Gaevsky, the Mayor of Stavropol Nikolai Paltsev.

Having seen the master’s works,  Valery Gayevsky called them “a living example of mutual understanding between the Russian and Georgian nations”.

The Governor of the region, that occupies the central part of the Fore-Caucasus and  borders with Rostov region, Krasnodar Krai, Republic of Kalmykia, Republic of Dagestan, Chechen Republic, North Ossetia-Alania,  Kabardino-Balkar Republic and Karachay-Cherkess Republic, has proposed Zurab Tsereteli  to create a monument  to the unity of the Caucasian peoples in Pyatigorsk – a new capital of the North Caucasian Federal District. Taking into account Zurab Tsereteli’s experience in the recreation of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, Valery Gaevsky suggested the sculptor’s involvement in the rebirth of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan in Stavropol. Zurab Tsereteli expressed his readiness to participate in the above projects.

“I am fully convinced, that the language of art touching the right chords of people’s souls has a more peacemaking and creative potential than some moves in politics. And it is much better when politicians, artists and all healthy general public work in  unison” – said Gayevsky. 

The President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli presented Valery Gaevsky with a medal of the Russian Academy of Arts for the promotion of fine arts in the Stavropol Krai. The Academy awards were also presented to artists from Abkhazia, Kuban and North Ossetia.

At the end of his stay in Stavropol Zurab TSereteli gave a masterclass in painting for children of the Stavropol art schools.

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