Under the High Patronage of His Excellency Dmitry A. Medvedev,
President of the Russian Federation
The Tsars and the East: Gifts from Turkey and Iran in The Moscow Kremlin
May 9 – September 13, 2009
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution
Art exhibition of diplomatic gifts from 16th and 17th C. Turkey and Iran to the Russian Tsars: jewel-encrusted equestrian trappings, weaponry, and ceremonial objects in gold and other precious metals, silk carpets, textiles and costumes.
Approximately 65 objects
Location: Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries, Washington, DC
Exhibition dates: May 2-September 13, 2009
Object lender: The Moscow Kremlin Museum
Extensive exhibition related programming with music, lectures, children’s activities
Black-tie opening gala on May 7, 2009
Honorary Gala Committee Chair, Russian Ambassador Sergei I. Kislyak and Member, Sergio Millian, President of Russian American Chamber of Commerce in the USA
Lead sponsor: Lukoil
Exhibition Summary
The Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, in coordination with The Moscow Kremlin Museum, is organizing a spectacular exhibition of sixteenth-and-seventeenth-century diplomatic gifts from Turkey and Iran to the Russian Tsars. The exhibition is comprised of approximately sixty-five remarkable and little known objects that have rarely been on view outside of Russia and never before in the United States. Washington, DC will be the only venue for this exhibition.
The Tsars and the East tells the story of the diplomatic, commercial, artistic and cultural relationship between Russia and its eastern allies—Ottoman Turkey and Safavid Iran, as expressed through the exchange of gifts. As part of a complex ceremonial ritual, gifts were regularly exchanged between sovereigns, but also submitted by diplomats, merchants, traders, and others in search of royal favors and concessions. This exhibition will highlight the variety of gifts received at the Russian court from Turkey and Iran in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and emphasize how their artistic design and technical sophistication contributed to the formation of a Russian ceremonial identity, and will highlight specific delegations that were sent to Moscow, and the sophisticated protocol of gift giving.
Opening Gala, May 7, 2009
We will open the exhibition with our annual black-tie benefits gala for ca. 500 guests. In addition to our corporate sponsors, guests include leaders from government, the diplomatic corps and the philanthropic world. An Honorary Committee will support the gala and exhibition.
On the Freer and Sackler Galleries
The Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution together form the national museums of Asian art for the United States. An integral part of the Smithsonian, which is the United States’ most important museum and research complex, the Freer and Sackler Galleries have a prominent location adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Please visit our website: http://www.asia.si.edu.
GALA MAY 7, 2009: SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Smithsonian Institution in partnership with the Russian American Chamber of Commerce in the USA (RACC) invites you to sponsor the exhibition “The Tsars and the East: Gifts from Turkey and Iran in The Moscow Kremlin” by attending The Tsars and the East Gala on May 7, 2009
BENEFITS OVERVIEW >>
GALA 2009 TABLE RESERVATION FORM >>
A limited number of opportunities for corporate sponsorship are available for the gala, which will take place on the beautiful Freer and Sackler grounds, located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The evening will bring to life the imperial grandeur of the Russian court.
We expect a senior Russian government official and a senior member of the new U.S. administration to be present along with Ambassador Kislyak and other dignitaries. The Chamber and the Smithsonian are working on a joint pre-gala reception with the senior Russian government official. Ambassador Kislyak chairs the Honorary Gala Committee, which also benefits from the leadership of Sergio Millian, President of the Russian American Chamber.
As a sponsor of The Tsars and the East Gala, you will have an opportunity to make valuable connections and build new relationships while supporting one of Washington’s most respected cultural icons. The Smithsonian is offering special sponsorship benefits to the Chamber members.
Contact Information
For inquiries about the exhibition and the gala, please contact Jaap Otte, Corporate Relations at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, T. +1.202.633.0407, E. [email protected], or Elizabeth Damore, Special Events, T. +1.202.633.0450, E. [email protected].
