GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia presents the “Architecture of Diplomacy”, a photography exhibition that celebrates the Company’s 103th anniversary.
The exhibition with 32 photographic pictures on display tells the story of the Company, our efforts to preserve cultural heritage sites, and the history of 22 most impressive architectural landmarks of Moscow. It takes place on Gogolevsky Boulevard (near number 12), August 19 – September 8.
Vitaly Kalashnikov, historian, guide and Moscow 24 TV station show host, recorded audio guides for each of the 22 mansions the exhibition showcases. They include unique and rarely mentioned historical facts about the buildings.
On August 24, 1921, Vladimir Lenin signed a resolution that founded the Burobin, an agency that served diplomatic missions from countries that still maintained relations with Soviet Russia, providing them with everything they needed. Burobin was given charge of 38 mansions which mostly serve to accommodate foreign embassies to this day.
Now, the Burobin successor, GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia, manages over 100 architectural landmarks in Moscow. They are mostly used as accommodations for diplomatic missions and international organizations’ offices. Some of them are masterworks by renowned architects such as F. Schechtel, L. Kekushev, W. Walcot: breathtaking specimens of the Baroque Revival, Neoclassicism, Gothic Revival, eclecticism styles, as well as of the Russian Art Nouveau in its prime.
GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia maintains and preserves invaluable historical and cultural monuments, while striving to introduce architecture aficionados to their features and history. That is what our “Architecture of Diplomacy” exhibition is focused on.