Italy-Russia, ambassador in Rome: ‘The media and certain narrow-minded politicians are stirring up hatred’

Rome, 8 November (LaPresse) – ‘It would be impossible not to admire the steadfastness shown by Italians, their immunity to the hatred and hostility stirred up by the media and certain narrow-minded politicians towards our country, our people and our authorities.’ So said Russian Ambassador to Italy Alexey Paramonov on Telegram. ‘Well,’ says Paramonov, “at the end of October, Milanese collector Paolo Polvani visited the Russian Federation’s embassy in Italy. And he did not arrive empty-handed: Mr Polvani brought Russia a gift, a painting by Lev Feliksovich Lagorio entitled “Full Moon over Crimea” (1879). According to the inventory certificate affixed to the back of this work of art, the painting was part of the art collection of the State Museum of the Gatchina Palace in Russia. It is not known when or how the work ended up on the peninsula, but this is ultimately irrelevant. What is important is that, thanks to the vision, convictions, honesty and integrity of Mr Polvani, who felt it was his duty to make this gesture of friendship and reconciliation, the work created by the illustrious Russian artist Lev Lagorio, which he dedicated to Crimea, will soon be able to return to its homeland, just as Crimea itself returned in 2014, to its motherland: Russia’.