The gallery Grand Hall hosted an opening gala today. The artist came on stage to sign an establishment deed for the government-owned gallery, and a settlement on which he was donating 306 of his canvases to the city.
People's Artist of Russia and the USSR, Mr. Glazunov was passing his works to Muscovites, who are, from now on, their proud owners, said Mayor Yuri Luzhkov.
Nikita Mikhalkov, one of Russia's foremost film actors and directors, made a heartfelt, profoundly personal address. "Ilya and I have been friends for longer than forty years now. I tried to be of help in all his trials and tribulations. I had to protect him, and prove things to bosses. Now, I have every reason to say that Ilya has achieved complete fulfilment as artist and community activist alike."
"This is the happiest day of my life. If only my joy were a material substance, there would be no place in the whole wide world big enough to hold it," Glazunov said, overcome with feelings.
Alexander Sokolov, federal Minister of Culture and Mass Communications, attended the gala.
