Calligraphy Exhibition
On October 14th, Sokolniki Exhibition and Culture Centre saw the opening of the 2nd International Exhibition of Calligraphy supported by the RF Ministry of Culture and by the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO. The better part of the exposition is dominated by the Sacred Calligraphy Collection featuring contemporary calligraphic works inspired by Buddhist, Judaic, Christian, and Muslim sacral texts.
Islamic calligraphy is represented by a wide range of masterpieces from Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia, Palestine, Malaysia, etc. as well as by Najip Nakkash’s oeuvres (Tatarstan). Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Mufti Sheikh Rawil Gaynetdin, Chairman of the Mufti Council of Russia, and Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia sent greeting letters to the organizers. The Grand Opening was attended by heads of diplomatic missions of many Arab states, i.e. Turkey, Iran, as well as by famous calligraphers, art critics, and collectors from over thirty countries. On behalf of the Mufti Council of Russia, Islam Zaripov, Imam of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, read aloud the welcoming address of Mufti Sheikh Rawil Gaynetdin, Chairman of the Mufti Council of Russia and thanked the organizers for a perfect Muslim calligraphy section, “The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, uniting unique Buddhist, Judaic, Christian, Islamic manuscripts, is kind of a museum of tolerance. It is positive evidence of how representatives of various religions and cultures visually express through one and the same art, calligraphy, each in their own tongue and style, prophesize peace, goodness, and beauty.”