The Reception House of the Russian Foreign Ministry hosted the solemn opening of the exhibition of famous Azerbaijani artist Tahir Salakhov. The opening ceremony in Moscow was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza reported that Lavrov thanked Salakhov for agreeing to host the exhibition and the organizers for their work.
"Tair Teymurovich has many titles and awards, but it seems to me that the best award for an artist is popular recognition. Tair Teimurovich, we are very grateful that you continue to please us with your works. I am sure that this exhibition will be popular among those present today. We hope to continue the exposition for those who could not come here today. I wish you creative success, health and always be an artist," Sergey Lavrov said.
Director General of the State Tretyakov Gallery Zelfira Tregulova, in turn, described the exhibition a unique event. "It's not just a mansion accommodating the Reception House of the Russian Foreign Ministry - this is the famous Zinaida Morozova’s mansion built by Fyodor Shekhtel, with works by Mikhail Vrubel and Konstantin Bogaevsky on the walls. Art fits perfectly into the interiors of this house, and I think the level today's opening speaks for itself," she said.
Tahir Salakhov told Vestnik Kavkaza about the idea to hold this exhibition at the Russian Foreign Ministry. "My exhibition was held at the EXPO Center in Baku, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov visited it in December. He awarded me the Order of the Foreign Ministry and said: "Tahir, I am waiting for your exhibition in Moscow, it will be organized at our place". And today Sergey Viktorovich kept his word," he said.
"It is a great honor for me to present my paintings here. The exhibition features portraits of Shostakovich, Rybak, Kara Karaev, Solzhenitsyn, Picasso, Rauschenberg, Boris Efimov, Salvador Dali, paintings about Azerbaijan, 'One Thousand and One Nights'. The spirit of the people who passed away is with us today, we must never forget the work of geniuses, musicians and writers. It is a great happiness for me that we meet here today," the famous artist said.
Tahir Salakhov told about how his paintings were transferred to carpets. "I saw pictures of Picasso against the background of his works translated into tapestries. This was done by wonderful French galleryowner and carpet sculptor [Jean] Lurçat, I received him in Baku in 1958, when he came to study Azerbaijani carpets. And I thought - why shouldn't I translate my paintings on the carpet as well? I think every artist has the right to see his works in any form," he stressed.
