RUSSIA: CONTROVERSIAL ART EXHIBITION

(30 Mar 1995) Eng/Russian/Natsot

Seventy-four paintings on display at Russia's State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg are at the centre of a bitter cultural dispute between Russia and Germany.

It's the first time the works - which include paintings by great masters such as Picasso, Cezanne, Degas and Gaugin - have appeared in public since the end of World War II.

Masterpieces, taken from Germany after the second world war by the Soviet government, are on show at the Hermitage museum.

It's a breathtaking exhibition that is also controversial. Ownership is still a matter of fierce dispute.

The mayor of St Petersburg says they are part of Russia's heritage and must remain.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
The Hermitage contains the most important art treasures. Everything that's in the Hermitage belongs to the Hermitage. They can't be sold or given away, not even by the government.
SUPER CAPTION: Anatoly Sobchak, Mayor of St Petersburg

A view strongly opposed by the German consul who says they must be returned to the German collections from which they were taken over 50 years ago.

SOUNDBITE:
We do understand that it's not an easy question. We understand the feelings of the people in Russia, particularly this year. Nevertheless, we are happy that the export negotiations continue. Our foreign minister just met with the Russian minister. They agreed on the next stage, end of June for the next round of talks. But today I must say it's a very special event here. This is a perfect, wonderful exhibition. We are particularly happy that all interested parties from Germany were invited. And of course on those grounds we are ready to share the joy of this exhibition with you.
SUPER CAPTION: Cord Meier-Klodt, German Consul for St. Petersburg

The paintings are just some of the trophy art that Russia has recently admitted possessing.

Many Russians say that works seized from Germany should remain in Russia as compensation for the widespread destruction and brutality of the Nazi attack on Russia.

They note that German soldiers destroyed or looted many Russian cultural treasures that have not - or cannot - be replaced.

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