VITEBSK, 10 July (BelTA) – Chief of the Russian President’s Administration Sergei Naryshkin donated six copies of paintings by Ilya Repin to Vitebsk. A solemn ceremony of handing over the copies was held at the Vitebsk Art Museum on 10 July. According to Sergei Naryshkin, the idea to donate the paintings came to his mind a year ago when he visited Zdravnevo museum where the famous Russian artist Ilya Repin once lived. The idea was supported by the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund (IHCF). “It is with great pleasure that we donate the copies of Ilya Repin’s paintings to Vitebsk. I am absolutely happy to come back to this city which is so rich in artistic traditions,” Sergei Naryshkin said. Taking part in the ceremony was Head of the Belarus President Administration Vladimir Makei. He said that the peoples of the former USSR have preserved unbreakable bonds. “This gesture confirmed that nothing can break the links between our peoples,” he underlined. On behalf of the Belarusian government Vladimir Makei expressed sincere appreciation for this gift to the Russian side. The Vitebsk Art Museum received six digital copies of Ilya Repin’s paintings; the original pictures are kept at the Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg and the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

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