Press releases

MINSK, 9 August (BelTA) – A one-man show, Strings of Space and Time, of Director General of the National Art Museum of Belarus Vladimir Prokoptsov opened in Minsk on 8 August. The vernissage marks the 60^th birthday of Vladimir Prokoptsov as well as the 15^th anniversary of his activity as the director of the country’s biggest museum, BelTA has learnt.

The exposition covers the period from 1973 to 2013. The displayed pictures tell about a permanent creative research and self-improvement. Painting for the author is an opportunity to show his worth. Paternal Home, Vitebsk at Night, The Origins, The Eternal – the painter, filled up with sincere feelings and emotions, shows himself in his true light.

The exhibition has made a culmination of the celebrations of Vladimir Prokoptsov’s birthday. A ceremony of the cancelation of the stamp with the image of Vladimir Prokoptsov took place on 8 August. On the same day there was held a presentation of Boris Krepak’s book Vladimir Prokoptsov. Quadriga of Life (Mastatskaya Litaratura publishing house) on the life and creative work of the chief museum keeper.

Vladimir Prokoptsov was congratulated by First Deputy Information Minister Liliya Ananich, Deputy Culture Minister Vasily Chernik, Minsk Mayor Nikolai Ladutko, Superior of Minsk Church of All Saints Archpriest Fyodor Povny. The guests wished Vladimir Prokoptsov strong health, creative power and long years of service, taking note of Vladimir Prokoptsov’s huge contribution to the development of the national culture. The Director of the National Art Museum was awarded an honorary diploma of the Minsk City Council, the diploma of the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and a commemorative token.

The exposition will symbolically last for eight days eight hours eight minutes and eight seconds.

Vladimir Prokoptsov was born in the village of Zhgunskaya Buda, Dobrush District, Gomel Oblast on 8 August 1953. In 1975 he graduated from the Kirov State Pedagogical Institute of Vitebsk. In 1998 he was appointed Director General of the National Art Museum of Belarus.

Vladimir Prokoptsov has been honored with numerous awards including the Frantsysk Skorina Medal (2008) for his contribution to art development. In 2006 the chief museum keeper was awarded the title of the Honorary Citizen of Dobrush for his personal contribution to the development of museum affairs. Vladimir Prokoptsov was named Museum Director of the Year in Belarus at the first national forum Museums of Belarus in 2012. A year later he was named the Honored Figure of Art of the Republic of Belarus.