The exhibition of Russian art ‘Holy Russia’ started today in the Louvre in the presence of President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and President of France Nicolas Sarkozy. Gazprom, GDF SUEZ and Total became primary sponsors of this cultural event, celebrating the Year of Russia in France.

Among the exhibits there are more than four hundred works of art from 24 of the largest Russian museums and libraries. It is the first time such a large collection of masterpieces of the medieval Russian art has been gathered in a single exhibition. Among the exhibits of the ‘Holy Russia’ there are rare fragments of fresco paintings, icons, coins, first portraits of the Russian tsars, unique manuscripts and books. The exhibited articles date back to periods from the ancient times to the epoch of Peter the Great (9th to 18th centuries) and tell us about the beginnings of Russian art, ancient archaeological cultures of Eastern Europe and their Byzantine origins.

The exhibition, recognized to be the most large-scale cultural event of the Year of Russia in France, will be held until May 24, 2010. Featured lectures, conferences and colloquiums on Russian art will be held in the Louvre during this period. Visitors will also be invited to concerts of Russian classical music, film representations of theatrical performances and retrospectives of Russian films.

Background:

Alongside the development of cooperation in the energy industry Gazprom, GDF SUEZ and Total are intensively interacting in the sphere of information, public relations, implementation of cultural and sponsorship projects.

During the years of the partnership Gazprom and GDF SUEZ supported concerts of French and Russian classical music, painting exhibitions in the State Historical Museum, Hermitage and Musée D’Orsay.

Within the framework of promoting sports and a healthy lifestyle among young people Gazprom and GDF SUEZ assisted in organizing master classes of prominent sportsmen, children’s trips to sports tournaments.