Russian artworks not to be sent to foreign exhibitions yet - presidential rep

MOSCOW. May 24 (Interfax) - Works of art in the Russian museum fund will not be sent to foreign exhibitions, including to friendly and neutral countries, until the situation in the world becomes calmer, Russian Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi told Interfax.

"I think that we should just understand that these things [exhibits from the Russian museum fund] have to stay at home for a while. Maybe this is the most important thing today - this is a common position within the Culture Ministry and the Foreign Ministry of Russia - that things should stay at home for a while until the situation calms down. This is because it seems to me that today it is better to host exhibitions than to send Russian works of art abroad, even, perhaps, to friendly and neutral countries," Shvydkoi said.

It is possible to resume sending Russian works of art to exhibitions abroad "when the situation will be calmer," he said.

"Today [...] it would be more appropriate to work towards reception, especially since there are so many wonderful things. Another matter is that there is the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States, but I think that we should probably talk [about sending exhibits] around 2023," he added.