Belarus

ART BRIDGES THE NATIONS

First, I want to cordially congratulate Diplomat Affairs magazine on this exciting and timely edition highlighting Art. The famous Russian writer Fedor Dostoevsky once wrote, “Beauty will save the world”. I wholly agree with this view since art is the main beauty of humankind. It cherishes the inner beauty of a human being, our soul. Art bridges the nations and promotes understanding, humanism, and harmony around the globe, especially in today’s often turbulent and divided world.

BY H.E. MR. ANDREI YEUDACHENKA, AMBASSADOR OF BELARUS TO THE NETHERLANDS

TThe Netherlands proudly boasts of its myriad of internationally renowned artists, especially from the Golden Age period, and is rightfully considered to be one of the world’s centres of art. Belarus also has much to be proud of in this field. Marc Chagall is one of the most famous natives of Belarus. A talented artist, a brilliant representative of the 20th century avant-garde, he conquered the world with his unique style and special outlook on life. Among others, original works by M. Chagall decorate the world’s biggest theatres. In 1964, the artist painted the ceiling of the Paris Opera House. In 1966, he created the murals “The Triumph of Music” and “The Sources of Music” for the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

The younger generation of my compatriots also actively promote the Belarusian culture

MARC CHAGALL IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS NATIVES OF BELARUS. A TALENTED ARTIST, A BRILLIANT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Belarusian artist Aliaksandra Puhachova

and art, honouring own traditions and taking the best from the Dutch and the European schools. The prominent Belarusian artist Victoria Kovalenchikova who graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Arts is currently working in Amsterdam (www. vkgallery.nl). Her artworks can be found in the art collections of Philips company, RABO bank, Museum of Russian Art (Jersey City, the USA), Contemporary Fine Art Museum (Minsk, Belarus), National Art Museum of Belarus, collection of the municipality of Coevorden (the Netherlands), as well as in numerous private collections worldwide. Another young bright and talented artist who has been living and creating in the Netherlands is Aliaksandra Puhachova (www.justalexart. com). Shortly after her graduation from The Hague Royal Academy of Art in 2019, her works were featured in a number of exhibitions such as The Best of Graduates at Gallery Ron

Belarusian artist Victoria Kovalenchikova

Mandos (Amsterdam) and Jong Talent at Project space Artphy (Onstwedde). In the autumn of 2020, she had her first international presentation at the National Palace of Arts in Minsk as part of the group exhibition Fall Art Salon. Since 2021, she has been collaborating with the WTC The Hague Art Gallery. Recently, in the framework of the joint project, Belarusian and Dutch artists have exhibited a mix of paintings, sculptures and design works in the “BELL’ARTE” gallery of The Hague. It was a success. The Dutch artists, prominent sculptor Chris Tap and visual designer Arvid Henkes, expressed their wish to continue cooperation and to exhibit in Minsk. The goal is to foster the BelarusianDutch ties, promote friendship and better understanding of each other. Art is a bridge connecting our nations and positively influencing the other fields of our multifarious relations.