Aleksandr Lukashenko attends opening of Mikhail Savitsky's arts gallery

On 7 September President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in the opening of Mikhail Savitsky's arts gallery.

Located at 15 Svobody Square, the building was erected in the 18th century. It has been chosen to house the gallery by the artist himself. Following his approval the premises have been rebuilt to become a dual-use museum facility that combines an art gallery and an exhibition to highlight the history of the building.

Four chambers on the first floor have been restored as a small parlor and a big one, a study, and a library. The exhibition dedicated to the art of Miklhail Savitsky is located in nine chambers of the second floor and on the third floor of the wing. It comprises the works acquired from the artist and those lent by the artist’s family and Belarusian museums. The gallery showcases replica interiors of the workshop and the study of Mikhail Savitsky as well as personal belongings, awards, photos, letters, books with autographs and so on. A total of 98 works by Mikhail Savitsky are on display at the gallery.

Aleksandr Lukashenko took a tour of all the chambers of the gallery and was pleased with the efforts to create the gallery. The President liked the artist and had talked to him many times.

The head of state also talked to Belarusian artists, pupils of Mikhail Savitsky. Aleksandr Lukashenko believes their works should be on display in one of the chambers of the gallery. Famous Belarusian artist Igor Barkhatkov, who is a pupil of Mikhail Savitsky, gifted a picture of a Belarusian landscape in summer to Aleksandr Lukashenko.

In memory of his visit the President of Belarus left a note in the distinguished visitors’ book. “With a feeling of agitation I visited the gallery of Mikhail Andreyevich Savitsky, a man I knew well and respected a lot, an artist, whose vision was internationally recognized. May the gallery of works by this prominent son of Belarus serve the spiritual enrichment of the people, filling hearts with pride for our talented nation that has bestowed the mankind with this Master,” the note says.

Minsk Mayor Nikolai Ladutko reported to Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on the state of efforts to renovate the Minsk historic downtown. According to the mayor, a total of 114 objects in the Minsk historic downtown have been upgraded. Over 70 objects have been put into operation. Seven more will be inaugurated this year. The blueprint for the Minsk historic downtown restoration was coordinated with the head of state in 2005. The works cover the area of 115 hectares. The renovation of the most part of the Minsk historic downtown will be completed in 2013.

After the IIHF World Championship which the country will host in 2014, the Belarusian capital will embark on the Minsk Zamchishche large-scale project that will include a construction of an archeological museum, a museum of the history of the city and restoration of the Nemiga riverbed.

The President was also reported on the plans to build a new neighborhood Zelenyi Bor. It will be located near the village of Kolodishchi. According to the Minsk Mayor, a new scheme will be applied: about 35% of buildings will be ten floors high, another 35% four and five floors high, and others will be lower. Construction of the district will begin in 2013.

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that it makes sense to make more efficient use of the territory within the city rather than expand the city bounds. "We need to make Minsk a cozy home for residents,” he said.