Catherine II Exhibition Opened In Berlin

An exhibition named Catherine II opened in the Russian House of Science and Culture in Friedrichstrasse (Berlin) on Thursday evening. According to a RIA Novosti correspondent, the exhibition was prepared by Catherine II International Charity Foundation and the Zerbst town museum. The exposition features the milestones of the Russian Empress' life - from the time when she was a German princess Sophie Augusta Frederika von Anhalt Zerbst to Catherine the Great (05/02/1729 - 11/17/1796). "Her life links the Russian and German histories in a special way." "Even after 200 years, the reign of Catherine the Great and her state wit have not lost their importance for the history of Europe and the world," said Helmuth Berendt, the Zerbst mayor, while opening the exhibition. The exposition, hosted by Russian House on the Friedrichstrasse, features a plenty of interesting paintings, photographs, sculptures, which narrate about the future Russian Empress's young years, which she spent in the Zerbst castle. A fine model of her castle is exhibited too. The castle itself has not been restored after the USAF bombing on April 16, 1945 which destroyed around 80% of the Zerbst town, currently in the Saxony-Anhalt Land. Other exhibits, for instance, Catherine's letters to her brother, feature various stages of her reign. The Berlin exhibition is due to last till January 7, 2002.