Did you know that Repin and Kramskoi (Kramsky, russians modified his last name) were Ukrainians, not russians. That is just a drop in the ocean.

russia might have stolen more historical and cultural treasures than Great Britain. Yet, I don't see any jokes about Tretyakov Gallery, unlike jokes about British Museum.

Follow

If you take away all the stolen geniuses from "russian culture", like peeling off the layers from an onion, I bet you will be left with rather small and underdeveloped heritage.

Portrait of an Unknown Woman
the author - born and raised Ukrainian (Ivan Kramskyi), bought by the Ukrainian patron, Pavlo Haretonenko (sugar magnate, art collector). Stolen by soviets, "nationalized" and relocated to Tretyakov Gallery.

@rakshy

I must tell you that I am quite taken with this. The life shown in the face tells as much about the artist, as it does his subject.

@rakshy i wonder if some thief is going to swipe that if there is an attack on a museum in russia.

@Horrrflmlvr
Hope so. There are a lot of Ukrainian historical treasures in Russian museums, galleries, basements, safes. I really hope that we will be able to return it in exchange for removing some sanctions after we have a complete win over them.

@rakshy I don't understand the (willful?) blindness to flagrant myself, both historically and ongoing. Maybe because of guilt for not having helped the oppressed people enough? Idk but it can't be just apathy. Maybe it's a successful misdirect.

@peeppeepcircus
I vote for misdirect. and the key thing here is: money. lot's of money pumped in by russians. I'll give it to them - they know how important culture is, and they did everything possible to make the world believe that these they stole are actually belong to them.
sometimes that got so ridiculous that I lmao: they tried to claim that Shevchenko is also theirs. but, most of his work is focused on hating russians, in all forms possible. 🤦

@rakshy @peeppeepcircus

Well…in actuality they claim anything they want, or admire, was/is actually Russian to begin with — therefore, an easy target for their octopus-like embrace. Disgusting.

@LSWellesley @rakshy

that "octopus-like embrace" is a good way to describe it. an embrace including oppression, genocide, violence, etc.

it's as if all the hateful Soviet propaganda attacking the west for decades was actually a self-portrait.

@peeppeepcircus @rakshy

Yes. A slow-moving horror show, bringing as much misery to bear as possible. Rank, grotesque brutality in which many Russians seem to revel.

Slava Ukraini

@peeppeepcircus
we also have a very broad conversation in Ukraine. the topic is: our gov must invest in promotion of Ukrainian culture and history, funding the research, organizing exhibits etc. It can no longer be a question for volunteers to carry on their shoulders. we, as Ukrainians, must accept the reality: culture is critical, and we are the people who should care and do the most to spread the word, to restore justice.
So 😬 :

Sign in to participate in the conversation

CounterSocial is the first Social Network Platform to take a zero-tolerance stance to hostile nations, bot accounts and trolls who are weaponizing OUR social media platforms and freedoms to engage in influence operations against us. And we're here to counter it.