“Moskova Kremlin Sarayı Hazineleri Topkapı Sarayı’nda” (Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin at Topkapı Palace), a joint effort by the İstanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, the Topkapı Palace Museum and the Kremlin Palace Museum will run until June 7 at the palace’s Imperial Stables section.Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay, speaking at the exhibition’s high-profile opening ceremony on Thursday, said the show was a very special one that offers a glimpse into the memories of two of history’s most significant empires.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Vladimir Ivanovski, also speaking at the ceremony, said the exhibition would offer insight into the relations between the two countries and their peoples. “Political and commercial relations between [Russia and Turkey] are in a stage of improvement. We now hope that cultural relations between the two countries will improve as well,” the ambassador said.
“The artifacts being displayed in this exhibition are of great importance. They will attract the attention of people already interested in art, and they are sure to draw in the public because here they will see how small this world we live in actually is … and how [seemingly diverse] cultures are related to each other,” explained Kremlin Museums General Director Elena Gagarina during the ceremony.
Around 100 items are being showcased in the exhibition, spanning from personal belongings of the Russian czars to objects they used as the head of the Russian state and the Russian army, as well as objects from court ceremonies and those used during religious rites. Decorative objects made of gold and silver that used to adorn the halls of the Kremlin and the cathedrals of Moscow are also featured in the collection.
The exhibition was opened to the public on Friday. Visiting hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesdays.
