"pearl Of Antilles" Exhibition Opens In Russian Academy Of Arts

The exhibition "Pearl of Antilles" timed to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Cuba has opened in the Russian Academy of Arts. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Valentina Matviyenko pointed out the importance of cultural ties between Russia and Cuba stressing that they "contribute to friendship and better understanding of the two nations." Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said, in his turn, that Russian-Cuban relations saw different periods within 100 years. According to him, "our relations are at the top stage of their development now". Pointing to the importance of the Russian-Cuban ties, Cuban Ambassador to Moscow Carlos Palmarola said the first Russian ships arrived in Cuba from St. Petersburg 170 years ago. According to the Ambassador, the development of trade between Cuba and Russia began at that time. The greater part of the exposition is represented by the works famous Russian artists created after visiting Cuba.