Symbolic cashing
Baldin collection - is a kind of symbol to address all trophy art found in the territory of our country after the Second World War. For many years, this story can be difficult relations between Russia and Germany. But today, it seems, in the history of restitution written a new page. During a recent visit to Austria President noted that the issue of displaced valuables (Vienna is seeking the return of the library and collection of the princes Esterházy ancient Persian manuscripts) may soon be lifted. Voluntary and almost gratuitous return of cultural property in a certain scenario, an asset Russia a good service in addressing the backlog of international problems. Some sources in the Ministry of Culture, in general, hinted that the moderate position of Angela Merkel at the Samara Summit EU - Russia was due to including a breakthrough in the history of the Baldin collection.
Subject Russo-Germanic restitution traditionally seen us through the "Baldin" prism. After all, the scandal surrounding the failed return of the collection four years ago, seemingly forever put an end to all restorative topics. Now turn 180 degrees ...
Recall that in 2003 our government and the public differed in assessing the amount of compensation for Germany's return to its cultural heritage. The then Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoi believed that the Baldin collection should give a gift, but as payment for its carefully preserved, you can ask the Germans to leave us a couple of dozen rarities from 364 items. However, many felt that the minister "bad bargain" and too easy to agree with the requirements of the Germanic side. In particular, one of the most ferocious critics Shvydkoy, State Duma deputy Nikolai Gubenko, in a letter addressed to Vladimir Putin insisted on the need to obtain "the greatest benefit for Russia." This message is supported by Nikita Mikhalkov. How to refuse such distinguished people? As a result, the decision of the Ministry of Culture on the removal of rarities in the FRG was disavowed, Shvydkoi soon left the ministerial post and was replaced, as it is now fashionable to say, "patriotic" Alexander Sokolov. Why now, with the Baldin collection received "unpatriotic": after fourteen years of mutual bickering parties agreed that the rarities have already this year to return to their historic homeland - in Bremen, with virtually nothing. Russia cultural community is angry and will again, as claimed by the opponents of restitution, to help President Putin has strengthened the confidence that the collection of legally the property of Russia.
Baldin Group
At one time, in an interview with Itogi, Alexander Sokolov, argued: "There will transfer the Baldin collection to the German side now ... is not already set up a special working group to resolve the" Baldin themes, and gradually emerging balanced position on both sides. " What is weighed unspecified. But soon the Minister suddenly asked journalists in general, "derived from the use of" a term such as "restitution". And if they use it, the only exclusively with the adjective "compensatory". What else observers think? Logic loomed unequivocal: the Germans have to pay for exported from Germany, art.
Everything would be fine, but the problem is that the Baldin collection does not fall under the restitution legislation. Its legal status is governed by the law on import and export of cultural property. She was "expropriated" by the Soviet officer Baldin in private, and therefore sacrosanct "state trophy" can not. The tenth article of the law on import-export, in particular, states: "In accordance with international treaties and laws of Russia Russia cultural property illegally exported from its territory and illegally imported into its territory be returned. On the "compensatory restitution" in the law no syllable.
Nikolai Gubenko always been opposed to the return of the Baldin collection of Germany. In 2003, he launched a media campaign, which prevented the then Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoi come to terms with the German side.
Incidentally, in 2000, part of the Bremen collection (Figure 101), exported to the USSR comrade Baldin - Balakin officer, was returned to Germany just under the Act and with the approval of President Vladimir Putin. First pictures of the Embassy of Germany has brought himself Balakin, and then allowed to take the collection to Germany on the basis of the evidence of the Ministry of Culture of Russia. This document is Germany's Culture Minister Michael Naumann personally handed Mikhail Shvydkoi. Logically, then decide the fate of the remainder of the Baldin collection had to be within the same legal scheme. But the Ministry of Culture has Solomonic solution. Why?
Last fall, the decision of the Minister of Sokolova in the "Baldin" working group of the Interagency Council on the displaced values had been included well-known restorer Sawa Yamshchikov. He was a longtime associate of Nikolai Gubenko against "beskompensatornoy" restitution. Why was it suggested his candidacy? A source at the Ministry of Culture, commented on the appointment of Comrade Saahova Yamshchikova words of "The Caucasian Captive": "Anyone who hinders us, that we will help."
The fact that the veteran restorer found a fresh solution Baldin problem: "Why do we need these things (from the collection. -" Results ") ... I need now is more important that we receive money for monuments that are in a catastrophic state in Novgorod, Pskov. Incidentally, Yamshchikov conducted the first negotiations on the Baldin collection back in 1993, and it was he who first managed to persuade the Germans to the first cash payments for future restitution. During the 1993-1999 period, Germany to fork out 300 thousand dollars, Russia inherited the restorers. Once the Germans were paying then, why do not they pay now?
The first meeting of the working group last fall began with a sensation. It was announced following the initial position: if Baldin, in 1948, voluntarily handed over the collection in gosmuzey, it is clearly a property of the state. I agree with the Germans on the extradition of the collection should be "similar to the displaced values." In other words, works of art illegally exported (and quite simply, stolen) simultaneously become state property. And for any disposition of property, of course, have to pay compensation.
Colleagues Sawa Yamshchikova hurry in Pskov and Novgorod, make an estimate of restoration work to invoice the Germans. In an interview, Sava V. stressed that they should pay us for not ruined during the war (all of which are restored under Stalin and Khrushchev), but for the fact that collapsed in the stagnant-perestroika years. But, apparently, the leadership of Ministry of Culture, hinted that in such a creative approach to its own laws can be three sheets to quarrel with our main economic partner in Europe. The position had to be mitigated. Ministry of Culture, had to accept the fact that Baldin from the "savior of the collection" was formally demoted "to the looters." And then began a desperate bargain. Some members of the working group talked about the millions of dollars on two others, restorers and other members of the public less than 28 million do not agree. February 26 in a rather emotional letter to the Minister of Culture Yamshchikov criticized the outcome of the Russia-Germany Working Group. Pathos message - in Russia's side is absolutely no ability to bargain. They say, instead urge the government of Germany "acceptable means" we agree to compensation in the form of 20 masterpieces from the collection, and two million dollars. But could keep the 10 drawings, but to achieve even 26 million.
Wrangling could last indefinitely. But at the end of March, Alexander Sokolov received a carte blanche: the collection returned to Germany under the law on import and export of cultural property. Germany, however, solely as a gesture of goodwill, and not just any compensation, give Russia 20 drawings, and restorers - two million dollars. Given that the Germans pay formally should not have, who will now say that Russia can not defend its national interests?
In order to swim in restitution more
"The Germans behave as if they were we won the war" - one fumed Russian participants of the latter, the May round of talks. If you listen to this man, could have the impression that the war and does not end there. The fact that negotiations have cost without the ugly scenes - merit Deputy Minister of Culture Leonid Nadirov, who represented to them the government of Russia. However, if only to wave his fists after the fight still happens. The next week is scheduled a press conference on the transfer of the Baldin collection. One of the participants of the event assured the "Results", that "little nobody seems.
Of course, expect to repeat the success in 2003 the opponents of "cheap" restitution is hardly worth it. The Kremlin will take the situation under control. Duma will say nothing. TV does not show. The collection will give. And with accusatory pathos in our patriotic public not so good today. Try to explain to the public why other people's cultural heritage to trade for the 28 million possible, but for two - criminal. Where is the logic of Sovereignty?
Whatever it was, but the return of the Baldin collection - a significant event. In the West, for such "signals" lends an attentive ear. Because each step - this is a precedent. So, followed by other steps in the same spirit. I want to believe that the thoughtful and civilized. Vladimir Putin in Austria, in any case, promised to move forward toward the restitution ...
incisions: MORE
Goya is
Baldin collection of paintings and drawings, consisting of 364 works of XV-XIX centuries, before the Second World War was part of a huge collection of the museum Kunsthalle Bremen. During the war it was evacuated in one of the Brandenburg castle, where she was accidentally discovered by Soviet soldiers. International Collection. The book contains works by Italian masters - 84 sheet (Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Veronese, Cavallini, Giotto, Tintoretto, and others), French - 23 sheet (David Delacroix, Rodin, Greuze), about 30 drawings by Durer, medieval works from the Netherlands, England and Austria.
After intense negotiations, the German side agreed to keep Russia in the twenty of the 364 works. Know the name and authorship of six of them. This "View of the Church of St. Johann in Nuremberg, Albrecht Durer," Sofonizba drank poison from a glass of "Rembrandt's sketch for the painting" The Last Court "by Paolo Veronese, The Crucifixion of St. Peter Van Dyck," the young man's head in profile "Pontormo, sketch paintings by Francisco Goya.
In 2003, Russia's auction house "Gelos" praised the entire collection of 23.5 million dollars. 20 rarities, which can remain in Russia, worth about $ 6 million, including 4.6 million estimated the work of Goya.
incisions: OPINION
"Only begin to give"
The questions of "Itogi" The Deputy Chairman of the Duma committee on international affairs Natalia Narochnitskaya (fraction "Fair Russia").
- Natalia, how do you feel about the decision to return to Germany the Baldin collection?
- I am outraged by this and think that there are no legal grounds to issue no. This is all the wiles of our officials, who do not know the reasons and circumstances have embarked on this position.
- Vladimir Putin promised that Russia will continue to move toward restitution. Baldin collection - it is really not the case?
- I believe that the president had made a fairly general statement.
- Why do you think that the issue of the Baldin collection harm the interests of the country?
- This is fundamentally the wrong decision. Only begin to give. To us will fall claim. There is the notion of precedent.
- But there are laws and in accordance with which we did, that create these precedents. Hungary recently gave Sarospatak library.
- So what? I voted against the bill.
Denis Babichenko
"Results", № 23 (573), June 4, 2007
http://www.itogi.ru/archive/2007/23/21219.html
http://www.narochnitskaia.ru/cgi-bin...0r070614072310