On April 9, a lecture by Candidate of Art History Nadezhda Aleksandrovna Avdyusheva-Lekomt “Opening of the Palace of Fine Arts and Exhibition of Old and New Russian Art, 1928” took place at the Russian House in Brussels.

Opened on May 4, 1928, in the presence of King Albert and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte, the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels, now known as BOZAR, is considered the first multifunctional cultural center in Europe. Built after the Great War by outstanding figures of its time, it became a symbol of peace, prosperity, and Belgium’s cultural prestige in Europe.

For the opening of the Palace, the organizers conceived a grand program with the participation of several countries; however, special attention was given to Russian art, which had captivated Europe since the early 20th century thanks to Sergei Diaghilev’s “Russian Seasons.” From the early 1920s, with the influx of creative émigrés from the Russian Empire, the Russian presence in Europe’s artistic life significantly increased.

The highlight of the Russian part of the opening program of the Palace of Fine Arts was “The Exhibition of Old and New Russian Art.” To enhance the atmosphere, it was accompanied by ballet performances of S. Diaghilev and lectures on the history of Russian art.

Thanks to the efforts of the Russian Committee, headed by Vera Naryshkina and Ivan Zharnovsky, an almost comprehensive retrospective was created, demonstrating the continuity of the development of Russian art over the centuries—from icons and religious objects to 18th–19th century painting and sculpture, as well as works by contemporary artists.

The exhibition received wide resonance in Europe and within the Russian diaspora. The works of artists entered state and private collections, and some pieces still appear on the global art market today.

The Exhibition of Old and New Russian Art, held in Brussels in 1928 as part of the opening program of the Palace of Fine Arts, is considered one of the largest demonstrations of Russian culture abroad in the interwar period.

At the lecture, visual materials were presented, including reproductions of paintings, antiques, rare documents and books, as well as portraits of participants. A large number of questions from the audience highlighted their keen interest in the lecture topic, history, and Russian culture.