[Artem]

15th-century icon "Crucifixion with prestoyaschimi" returned to Ukraine
 16:16|21 /09 /2011
  
 Ukraine ceremonial transfer of the icon of the 15th century "Crucifixion with prestoyaschimi" took place in the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv", RIA Novosti reported.

attended the ceremonyMinister of Culture of Ukraine, Mikhail Kulinyak,Russian ambassador to Ukraine Zurabov, Germany's ambassador to Ukraine, Hans-Juergen Gaymzet,The Acting Head of Rosokhrankultura Viktor Petrakov, the giver - a Russian art historian and collector Elizavetino Love, the representatives of science and culture, and journalists.

The icon in 1984, was stolen from the Lviv Museum of Ukrainian Art (now the National Museum in Lviv im.Andreya Sheptytsky). Later the icon remained in Germany and Russia. Love Elizavetino decided to refer the icon of the Lviv Museum, where she was abducted. "This is the third icon, which I return, and the first that I return the Ukraine", - said Elizavetino, speaking at the ceremony.

According to her, "If it turns out that the icon was stolen and hit the unrighteous by the collection, the only true solution for any collector - return it to the museum."

Russian Ambassador to Ukraine thanked the giver, and noted that she made an effort not only to return to Ukraine of the icon, but also to its investigation and determination of the place where she was abducted. Zurabov in connection with the thought of a certain expression of Bulgakov's novel "The Master and Margarita" that "manuscripts do not burn." "I am deeply convinced that the icons are always returned to where they were found," - said Zurab.

In turn, the German ambassador said that the practice of restitution of cultural and historical values ​​helps to strengthen relations between countries.

Minister of Culture of Ukraine, called the return of the icon "is really an important event" and also expressed his gratitude to the giver.

In January 1984, from funds of the Lviv Museum of Ukrainian Art abducted 22 icons 15-18 century. The icons have been taken abroad, some of them were sold. Then managed to return only nine icons, told reporters at the press service of the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv".

Further long-term operation of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and State Service for monitoring the movement of cultural property across the state border of Ukraine in search of stolen rare books bore fruit: the icon "Entry of Christ into Jerusalem," the 16th century was found in 2003 returned to the Ukraine by the German Government, and the icon of the "Protection of the Virgin "mid-16th century, recently returned to Ukraine from Moscow collector Igor Vozyakov. In early 2010, it became clear that another stolen icon resides in the collection of the Russian collector Michael De Bouar (Elizavetino), who acquired it from German collector. Then, the icon went to Lyubov Elizavetino, the former wife of De Bouar. Now this icon is returned to Ukraine. RIA Novosti Ukraine

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«XV century icon" Crucifixion to the forthcoming "stolen 27 years ago in Lvov, was in Germany, and then - in Russia. Now she returns Ukraine » Igor Osipchuk," FACTS "09/20/2011

Tomorrow at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev will transfer its rightful owner sacred image, the insurance cost is estimated at 150-200 thousand dollars

 - «crucifixion with the upcoming" we found by chance a year ago saw this image in the album-catalog items from the collection of Russian icons collector Michael De Bouar (Elizavetino), unfortunately, now deceased, - says Director General of the National Museum in Lviv named Andrew Sheptytsky honored cultural worker Igor Kozhan. - This is the old icon (s nearly 600 years) of the 22 images of saints that were stolen from our museum in 1984. The fact that it is in the collection Elizavetino, we reported in the State Service for Control over the movement of cultural property through the state border of Ukraine, headed by Yuri Savchuk. This service contacted their Russian counterparts, and negotiations began for the return of a rarity. As a result, the widow of Elizavetino Love decided to transfer the icon Ukraine.

- How was this icon in Elizavetino?

 - He bought it from a collector from Germany. And there it came, apparently, after the kidnapping. In 1984, from Moscow to the city in search of ancient icons came a Shulgin. He met a man, to suggest how you can get into the vault of the museum in the Armenian Cathedral. It turns out that one of the walls of the temple had been slit. Attackers have decided to expand it and so get the funds. Implement his plan he helped that just in that place there is a niche, to hide them from prying eyes. The kidnappers did hole a height of about 60 centimeters. Therefore, all stolen from us the icons do not exceed these dimensions - the images are written on the blackboard, so roll them up into a roll is not possible.

Police managed to find criminals. One of them was suspected of burglary, and found during the search of icons. Total time found the nine images. Others seemed to have disappeared. But seven years ago, a collector from Germany, learned, leafing through the catalog of cultural property stolen from museums in Ukraine, which is one of the relics of its collection, the icon of the XVI century "Entry of Christ into Jerusalem," stolen from us. Collector on his own initiative, brought her back to our museum. Alast summer, Russian collector Igor Vozyakov Ukraine gave another rarity, was abducted in 1984 - an icon of the XVI century, "Protection of the Virgin" (Vozyakov bought it overseas, having laid out about 350 thousand dollars. - Ed.). We have demanded that he not a penny. Love Elizavetino also donates to us, "the upcoming crucifixion." The market value of the icon is unknown to me, and the insurance may be about 150-200 thousand dollars. And another thing: I recently received a letter from the Ambassador of Ukraine in the Netherlands. He writes that the Christian Research Institute "Odegov" found among the curiosities kept in the Netherlands of a collector, another icon of our museum - "The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan." It is hoped that in the near future be able to return to Ukraine.

- What is the status of "Crucifixion with the upcoming"? The icon will restore?

 - Unfortunately, someone took away her two angels hovered over a cross. So that the restoration will need. But these loans over time. And since September 23 will exhibit an icon in our museum for all to see. Facts and comments 20/09/11 18:50