Anatoli Baranow: We all become patrons of art

Tomorrow, the Moscow City Duma intends to award painter Alexandr Shilov with the title of Honorary Citizen of Moscow: “for merits before the capital in developing Russian culture and reviving traditions of patronage of art." Of course, Shilov is an eminent painter, though Tseritelli should be appointed: his contribution is much more outstanding. Many of Shilov's without any doubt are comparable with Tseritelli’s Peter the Great erected in Bolotnay Quay in Moscow, or even with Memorial of Russian-Georgian Friendship in Tushin Square. The friendship is under question, though the memorial stays the same: well made. And what about the pictures? Nothing could be done against water or rats. And, you see, there is no more outstanding contribution to culture. This patronage of art looks strange. City authorities handed Shilov a huge detached house in Znamenka Street, especially for his personal gallery. Therefore, the capital represented by Mr Luzhkov made and act of patronage towards painter Shilov. And now Shilov is being rewarded for revival of patronage traditions. Probably because Shilov impelled the city authorities to patronage. So, that is a good start. It would be proper to reward the title of honorable citizen to everybody who has done much good at the expense of the city budget. Or who himself initiated it. For impelling other citizens to forced patronage. Because there are no other patrons in our country except those doing much good at the expense of the people’s money. Hopefully, patrons of art will at least drink champagne in the ceremony, in the person of their best representatives – the Moscow Duma’s deputies.