On 11 November 2019 Ambassador Jayatilleka accompanied by Madame Sanja Jayatilleka attended the second Diplomats' artworks exhibition at the invitation of the Russian Academy of Arts, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Russian Federation Haini Hashim and Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay Ramon Diaz Pereira. The Museum and Exhibition Complex of the Russian Academy of Arts “Zurab Tsereteli’s Art Gallery” hosted a one-day exhibition with about 100 works of paintings and graphics. This year the exhibition has also expanded its exposition with photographs.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Morgulov, who oversees East and South Asia and the multilateral cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region, underlined the importance of art exhibitions with expositions of artists from different states to communicate cultural values from one country to another and to demonstrate undeclared trust, friendship and cultural cooperation between the countries.
The President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli, the decorated Soviet and Russian painter, sculptor and architect known for large-scale and at times controversial monuments, said that cultural diplomacy was always important for development of friendly relations and doors of his museums were open for diplomats.
The participating artists of the exhibition are acting diplomats of different Missions accredited in Russia, including Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam, Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay and his spouse, Ambassador of Yemen Republic, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ambassador of the Republic of Portugal, spouse of the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, and other representatives of the diplomatic corp. The event was also attended by the Heads of Diplomatic Missions, their spouses, Russian artists and musicians.
Ambassador of Brunei to Russia Haini Hashim welcomed the gathering and highlighted that art has always served as a bridge connecting people of different nations, cultures, religions and races.
The official part of the event was followed by the excursion through the exposition. Each exhibitor had his own story that brought him “into art”. Most of the authors who displayed their works did not have professional background in arts and paint as a hobby, as they call “for themselves”.
